Massachusetts pediatric pneumonia cases going up: ‘No evidence’ it’s tied to mycoplasma

Pediatric pneumonia cases have been rising in the Bay State, according to health officials who say there’s “no evidence” that the seasonal jump is tied to the increase in mycoplasma pneumonia flare-ups around the world.

Massachusetts has seen a modest uptick in pediatric pneumonia cases during the past few weeks, the state Department of Public Health said on Friday.

This increase is “seasonally appropriate” and is in line with the levels of pneumonia typically seen at this time of year before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to DPH. These pneumonia cases are most likely linked to a combo of respiratory viruses — including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which normally jumps in the winter months.

“We are aware of the attention to the increase in pneumonia in several geographic regions of the world that has been attributed in part to mycoplasma pneumonia,” DPH said in a statement. “There is no evidence that the normal and expected increase in pneumonia cases we are currently seeing in Massachusetts is related to mycoplasma.”

Mycoplasma is a bacterium that can infect the lungs, and often causes what is referred to as “walking pneumonia.” While this type of pneumonia tends to be mild in adolescents and adults, it can be problematic in infants and children.

In Ohio, a county has recorded an “extremely high number” of pediatric pneumonia cases, including mycoplasma pneumonia, the Warren County Health District reported this week.

“We do not think this is a novel/new respiratory disease but rather a large uptick in the number of pneumonia cases normally seen at one time,” the county health officials said.

Countries in Europe have been reporting a spike in mycoplasma pneumonia cases.

Meanwhile, an increase in respiratory illnesses across China has drawn the attention of the World Health Organization.

“DPH urges everyone to take measures to help prevent all respiratory illness — including COVID, flu, and RSV,” Massachusetts DPH said. “These measures include washing your hands, covering your mouth when you sneeze or cough, staying home when you are ill, and getting the appropriate vaccines.”

Herald wire services were used in this report.