Cases of pneumonia among children in Europe are increasing.what you need to know

This article was originally published in English

Some European countries have reported an increase in childhood pneumonia cases this year, similar to infections in China.

Infect is caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniaea bacterium It can cause everything from mild respiratory infections to severe pneumonia.

It is a common cause of pneumonia in school-age children and accounts for 30% to 50% of community-acquired pneumonia infections in children, according to the French Public Health Agency.

Pneumonia causes inflammation of the alveoli.They may be filled with fluid or pus and cause Symptoms such as coughing or difficulty breathing.

Six countries in the European Union or European Economic Area have reported increases in infections so far “Walking” or “walking” pneumonia caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, which may reflect the normal recurrence of the bacteria.

Limited transmission during the COVID-19 pandemic may also exacerbate the situation, according to EU health authorities.

What are the symptoms?

Several countries, including Denmark and France, have described increases in cases “popularity”. Hanne-Dorthe Emborg, senior researcher at the Statens Serum Institute in Denmark, told Euronews Next An epidemic is considered when more than 10% of mycoplasma tests performed by doctors come back positive.

“they will flu-like symptomsbut you usually cough a lot,” Enberg said. It’s one of the leading causes of coughing “Walking Pneumonia”a mild infection in which patients can continue normal activities.

Researchers Mike Beeton and Patrick Meyer Sauteur began investigating surveillance of the Mycoplasma pneumoniae bacterium back in 2020 and found that, like other respiratory infections, Cases are starting to disappear due to COVID-19 restrictions.

“As expected, we saw detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae Found in many countries around the world sharp reductionBeaton, professor of medical microbiology at Cardiff Metropolitan University in the UK, explained to Euronews.

But at the same time Other common infections such as influenza and respiratory syncytial virus are on the rise again (RSV), Mycoplasma remains absent. “We know it will reappear at some point because it is still occasionally found in several countries,” he explained.

Where is it spreading?

Group coordinating international infection surveillance observes Over the past six months, the number of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections has begun to increase.

When analyzing monitoring data 24 countries Between April and September 2023, they found The incidence is higher in Europe and Asia.Europe’s ‘most frequent testing’ happens in Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland and Wales“, they added in an article published in The Lancet last month.

Many European countries have recently reported an increase in cases

Danish health authorities note increased infection Mycoplasma pneumoniae Since the summer, “the number of cases has been significantly higher than usual.”

France reports ‘exceptional growth’ Respiratory tract infections caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae have become more prevalent since autumn, with more cases than in 2019 and 2022, “reflecting the epidemic situation.”

The Netherlands also reports an increase in pneumonia casesPublic health agency RIVM told Euronews Next that there has been a particular increase in pneumonia infections among children aged 5 to 14 years.The institute has asked GPs to do more Throat and nose swabs to analyze them.

Why are “walking pneumonia” cases increasing now?

It’s unclear why these cases are increasing now, but some health officials say Possibly due to delays after COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.

Beaton said there are some theories as to why the bacteria Reappeared long after the epidemicAmong them, it has a long incubation period and “slow growth”. He added that while the number of cases recorded in different countries was “worrying”, it was not surprising.

Danish health authorities said Historically, M. pneumoniae epidemics have occurred approximately every four years.most recently between 2015 and 2018.

Before the pandemic, case numbers were high Coronavirus disease, but fell to “exceptionally low levels” amid restrictions. “There was hardly any virus circulating (during the pandemic), and then when we started reopening (Denmark) at different levels, different viruses started circulating again,” Enberg said.

“But mycoplasma has only now emerged, so we’ve had three and a half years to actually see the cycle of bacteria.” The scientist added: “It’s a bit more than what we’re used to, but now we don’t think that’s People are worried because Mycoplasma is a disease that usually affects children or schoolchildren.But they usually don’t end up in the hospital“.