PRO/MBDS> Respiratory infections – Japan: M. pneumoniae, teenager predominance, increase
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RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS – JAPAN: MYCOPLASMA PNEUMONIAE, TEENAGER
PREDOMINANCE, INCREASE
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Date: Tue 8 Oct 2024
Source: The Japan Times [edited]
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/10/08/japan/science-health/mycoplasma-pneumonia-cases-record-high/
Cases of Mycoplasma pneumonia, a common infection affecting children
that is usually accompanied by prolonged fever and cough, reached a
record high during the last week of September [2024], according to the
most recent data from the National Institute of Infectious Diseases.
The data published on Tuesday [8 Oct 2024] showed an average of 1.64
patients with the disease being reported per medical facility in the
week between September 23 and 29 [2024]. This is the highest number
since the institute began recording cases in 1999. The same period in
2023 only had an average of 0.04 patients per hospital.
The institute measures the prevalence of the disease via a weekly
average of cases seen by medical facilities across the nation. The
previous high was recorded in October 2016 when Mycoplasma pneumonia
was rampant across the nation, with 1.61 patients per hospital
reported back then.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has also announced that in Tokyo
alone, cases had risen to a record high of 2.8 per hospital in the
third week of September [2024] before exceeding it a week later with
2.96. Over 90% of the patients so far this year [2024] are under 19
years old, it said.
In previous years, the infectious disease was most often seen during
the transition from fall to winter. As such, more cases are expected
to emerge in the weeks ahead.
Mycoplasma pneumonia is transmitted through droplets from the nose
and throat of infected people or direct contact with them. It is
characterized by prolonged symptoms, with coughs usually lasting 3 to
4 weeks after a fever has subsided. In severe cases, it could result
in hospitalization and in rare instances could lead to complications
such as ear infections and myocarditis — inflammation of the heart
muscle.
Around 80% of patients are under the age of 14, and although less
common, adults can be infected as well.
The health ministry says that the possibility of the disease
transmitting through short-term exposure is not very high, and most
commonly occurs through close contact. As a preventive measure, people
are encouraged to thoroughly wash their hands and wear masks when
having a cough, as well as avoid sharing towels with family members
who may get infected.