Three years since the start of the covid-19 pandemic, A recent outbreak of respiratory disease in China has attracted international attention.
(Also read: China’s respiratory illness outbreak could last longer).
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On November 13, China’s National Health Commission reported a significant increase in these cases, which the World Health Organization (WHO) linked to the easing of measures against covid-19 and the spread of viruses, including Mycoplasma pneumoniae, primarily Affects children.
What symptoms does Mycoplasma bacteria cause?
According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information and the National Library of Medicine, Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a bacterium that causes epidemics every 4 to 7 years. It mainly affects the respiratory tract and is a common cause of SARS.
In adults, this infection may be asymptomatic, but in children it usually causes tracheobronchitis, often accompanied by pharyngitis or rhinitis, and may also cause conjunctivitis or equine inflammation.
SARS, the disease it causes, is characterized by symptoms such as chills, fever, cough, headache, muscle and joint pain, and general malaise. A hallmark symptom is a persistent cough, which can lead to chest pain.
(Keep reading: China to increase clinics to treat respiratory infection fevers.)
Mycoplasma pneumoniae is spread through respiratory droplets from an infected person. The incubation period is two to three weeks. Infection may be prolonged, lasting several weeks.
Antibiotics such as macrolides, tetracyclines, or fluoroquinolones are used to treat this infection. Early detection and treatment are key to controlling the spread of the disease and ensuring the recovery of those affected, especially children who are more susceptible to complications.
(Fun fact: the virus behind the pneumonia outbreak attacking children was discovered in China).
“Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a highly evolved bacterium with special properties and characteristics, primarily: lack of cell wall, small genome and special nutritional requirements,” NCBI details.
What do we know about the respiratory disease outbreak affecting China?
According to China’s National Health Commission, no new cases of unknown viral or bacterial infections have been detected. They are in constant communication with the World Health Organization (WHO) on this situation.
At the request of the World Health Organization, China provided detailed information on an increase in respiratory disease cases and an epidemic of pneumonia in children. Chinese authorities have identified “known pathogens” as the cause, including seasonal influenza, rhinovirus, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, respiratory syncytial virus and adenovirus.
On November 13, the outbreak broke out and an increase in respiratory illnesses was reported, mainly among children. Chinese authorities attribute the increase to the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions, the arrival of winter and the presence of known pathogens such as influenza, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, respiratory syncytial virus and SARS-CoV-2.
On November 22, the World Health Organization noticed multiple undiagnosed pneumonia cases in children’s hospitals in Beijing, Liaoning and other regions in China. After requests for more information and a conference call with Chinese health authorities, the group confirmed that no new virus had been identified. Authorities assured that the situation was under control and hospitals had sufficient capacity to care for patients.
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*This content was rewritten with the help of artificial intelligence based on information from El Universal and reviewed by reporters and editors.