Ohio health officials are warning of an increase in pneumonia cases in children, but experts say there is no link between the outbreak and this pneumonia. what is happening in china.
in press release On Thursday, officials in Warren County, Ohio (located between Cincinnati and Dayton) shared the latest information on the outbreak in the county, with 145 cases reported in children ages 3 to 14. He pointed out that there was.
Some people call these cases of childhood pneumonia “white lung syndrome,” and they most commonly cause cough, fever, and fatigue. Doctors say most cases of bacterial pneumonia can be treated with antibiotics, and most do not require hospitalization.
Officials also said the recent illness “does not appear to be a novel respiratory virus,” but instead appears to be an increasing number of “typical childhood pneumonia cases.”
“There is no evidence that this outbreak is related to any other outbreaks, whether statewide, nationally, or internationally,” the statement said.
Dr. Mandy Cohen, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, also answered questions about the issue during a House committee hearing Thursday, saying there is no evidence that there is a new virus like COVID-19 in the outbreak in China. said.
“Again, what we know as of today is that we do not believe this is a new or novel pathogen,” she said. “We believe this is all out there, and that means COVID-19, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, mycoplasma.” Mycoplasma is a type of bacteria that can cause pneumonia.
“They’re on the rise,” she added. He said the CDC is working with officials in China and other countries to monitor the situation.
Dr. Celine Gounder, a CBS News medical contributor and infectious disease expert, said the outbreaks in the U.S. and China are similar but not related.
“In both cases, we’re seeing an increase each year in common viruses and bacteria circulating in the community, and we’re seeing a particular increase in children and young children who don’t have immunity to some of these viruses and bacteria. . Viruses and bacteria that the rest of us are exposed to,” said Gounder, who is also editor-in-chief of general public health for KFF Health News.
Doctors in Massachusetts are also reporting an increase in cases of the respiratory illness. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health said in a statement to CBS News that the state has seen a “moderate increase” in pediatric pneumonia cases over the past few weeks.
“This increase is seasonally appropriate and consistent with the levels of pneumonia typically seen at this time of year prior to the COVID-19 pandemic,” the statement said. “These pneumonia cases are most likely associated with a combination of respiratory viruses, including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which typically increases during the winter months.”
The statement added that there is “no evidence” that the cases confirmed there are related to mycoplasma, a type of pneumonia that has received attention as a potential factor elsewhere.
“Mycoplasma is a bacterium that can infect the lungs, often causing so-called ‘walking pneumonia,'” the statement said. “This type of pneumonia tends to be mild in adolescents and adults, but can cause problems in infants and children.”
To prevent children from getting more serious lung infections such as pneumonia, Professor Gounder says it is best to vaccinate children against viruses such as: Influenza, new coronavirus, RSV.
“While these viruses may not kill children and infants, these children are more susceptible to not only viral pneumonia but also bacterial pneumonia, which is preventable through vaccination and RSV vaccination. ,” Gounder said.
There are other ways to protect children from disease besides proper vaccinations. this cold and flu season.
Keep your immune system strong by “eating nutritious foods, getting enough exercise and sleep,” says Dr. Evelyn Chan, pediatrician and CEO of digital therapy company SmileyScope. previously told CBS News.
Children can also be taught how to reduce transmission, she says.
“So wash your hands often, sneeze into your elbow, wear a mask whenever possible, and stay home if you’re sick to avoid spreading it to others,” Chan advised.
Some experts suggest that Masking again In some situations, it can also help reduce the risk of not only coronavirus but other respiratory illnesses.
