A novel strain of bacterial pneumonia, named White Lung Syndrome, is currently spreading among children in China, Denmark, the United States, and the Netherlands. This illness predominantly targets children aged three to eight years old. The Metro reports that ‘White lung syndrome pneumonia,’ coined for how the lung damage manifests on scans, is attributed to mycoplasma pneumoniae, a bacterial infection resistant to many antibiotics.
In Denmark, the mysterious pneumonia cases among children are escalating to ‘epidemic levels,’ drawing unsettling parallels to the initial stages of the coronavirus. The Netherlands has also witnessed a concerning surge in pediatric pneumonia cases, with Sweden experiencing its impact as well.
The disease spreads through various means, including coughing, sneezing, talking, singing, and breathing, carried by minute respiratory droplets.
Several regions in Ohio have witnessed the impact of this enigmatic outbreak, establishing it as the initial location in the United States to report cases of the illness. Notably, there has been a heightened rate of children requiring hospitalization.
A report from US News & World Report states that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have been in contact with China. The CDC clarified that the recent upsurge in respiratory illnesses in China is not linked to a novel pathogen.
CDC Director Mandy Cohen, addressing a House subcommittee, stated, “As of today, what we know about what’s happening in China is that they are observing an increase in some respiratory illnesses, particularly in the northern part of their country, with a noticeable rise in their pediatric population.
As of today, our understanding is that this is not a new or novel pathogen. It appears to involve existing respiratory illnesses, including COVID, flu, RSV, and mycoplasma. However, there is a noticeable surge in cases.
White Lung Syndrome represents a severe variant of pneumonia capable of inducing lung scarring and discoloration. Although the precise cause remains elusive, it is thought to result from a complex interplay of bacterial, viral, and environmental factors.
Symptoms associated with White Lung Syndrome encompass:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Fatigue