Health officials in Ohio are alerting the public to an increase in pneumonia cases among children, emphasizing that this outbreak is unrelated to the recent one reported in China.
In a press release on Thursday, officials from Warren County, situated between Cincinnati and Dayton, provided an update on the situation, reporting 145 cases among children aged 3 to 14 years old.
These cases, often referred to as “white lung syndrome,” typically manifest with symptoms such as cough, fever, and fatigue.
Fortunately, doctors note that most cases of bacterial pneumonia can be effectively treated with antibiotics and often do not require hospitalization.
Authorities clarified that these recent illnesses do not appear to be caused by a new or novel respiratory virus but rather represent an increase in typical pediatric pneumonia cases.
They emphasized, “There has been zero evidence of this outbreak being connected to other outbreaks, either statewide, nationally or internationally.”
Dr. Mandy Cohen, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), addressed questions about the outbreak during a House committee hearing, affirming that there is no indication of a new virus similar to COVID-19 associated with the China outbreak.
“What we do know as of today is we do not believe this is a new or novel pathogen,” she stated. “We believe this is all existing, meaning COVID, flu, RSV, mycoplasma.”
Dr. Céline Gounder, a CBS News medical contributor and infectious disease specialist, echoed this sentiment, highlighting that while both the U.S. and China are experiencing increases in respiratory illnesses among children, these occurrences are separate and not linked.
Meanwhile, Massachusetts has also observed a rise in pediatric pneumonia cases in recent weeks.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health attributed this increase to seasonal factors, noting that it aligns with typical pneumonia levels seen before the COVID-19 pandemic.
They specified that these cases are likely related to respiratory viruses such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), common during winter months.
To mitigate the risk of serious lung infections like pneumonia in children, Dr. Gounder emphasized the importance of vaccinations against viruses such as flu, COVID-19, and RSV.
“While these viruses may not be lethal for children and infants, they do leave them more susceptible to viral and bacterial pneumonia,” she cautioned.
In addition to vaccinations, maintaining strong immune systems through nutrition, physical activity, and adequate sleep is crucial, according to Dr. Evelyn Chan, a pediatrician and CEO of Smileyscope.
Teaching children good hygiene practices like frequent handwashing and proper respiratory etiquette further helps prevent the spread of infections.
Experts also suggest considering the use of masks in certain situations to reduce the risk of not only COVID-19 but other respiratory illnesses as well.
