DOH reports 4 cases of 'walking pneumonia' as of Nov. 25

MANILA – The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday reported four confirmed cases of mycoplasma pneumoniae infection or "walking pneumonia" among recorded influenza-like illness (ILI) cases as of Nov. 25.

"These cases have been reported in the previous morbidity weeks 3, 30, 37, and 38, with one case each. The existing surveillance is among ILI cases only," the DOH said in a message to reporters.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is not a new pathogen and it has been previously detected among local cases.

Children infected with this type of pneumonia do not feel sick enough to lay on the bed to rest, thus the term "walking" pneumonia.

Latest DOH data showed that ILI cases nationwide started to increase during late August on morbidity week 34 and a higher number of cases was sustained over the next several weeks.

"However, the case increase has started to slow down with a total of 9,834 ILI cases reported in the recent three to four weeks or morbidity weeks 44 to 45 (Oct. 29 to Nov. 11, 2023), about 11 percent lower than the 11,106 cases reported two weeks prior. Based on the five-year data, ILI cases are expected to continue declining in the coming weeks but are expected to rise again by the start of January," the DOH said.

The public is encouraged to perform individual self-assessment and employs layers of protection – masking, ensuring adequate ventilation, isolating when sick, as well as getting vaccinated and boosted – to prevent respiratory infections from further increasing, especially this holiday season. (PNA)