THERE are four confirmed cases of mycoplasma pneumonia or walking pneumonia in the country, according to the Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday.
The DOH said mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common bacterial infection which typically affects younger children and is readily treated with antibiotics, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
The 4 cases of walking pneumonia were detected among reported influenza-like illnesses (ILI) as of Nov. 25, the DOH said.
It said walking pneumonia is “not a novel or new pathogen and has been previously detected among local cases”.
DOH also clarified walking pneumonia is “not a notifiable disease globally”.
“The DOH can scan but we depend on what the media or the World Health Organization (WHO) will report. So far, the only country that has recorded incidents of Mycoplasma pneumonia is China,” it said.
Old virus, no outbreak
Health Secretary Ted Herbosa on Wednesday said there was no outbreak of walking pneumonia in the Philippines
“Not only in China but now other countries in Europe have recorded increase in respiratory illness in children. Attributed po ito sa hindi bagong virus, [kundi sa] previous microbes: microplasma pneumonia, yung Respiratory Syncytial Virus at saka yung influenza,” he said.
“Sa Philippines po, wala pang outbreak according to our epidemiology bureau, although marami ang cases because. Ito po talaga yung season ng respiratory illness,” the official added.
But the DOH said Tuesday that the said disease could have already entered the country and was not just being officially categorized as walking pneumonia.
“Nagkaroon na tayo niyan. Maraming taon na na-confirm dito sa atin, maaaring meron kaya lang di naco-confirm. Ang pagbibigay ng antibiotics ay sapat na na maghinala tayo na meron din tayo no’n,” said DOH Undersecretary Eric Tayag.
“Kung sakaling ang ubo niyo ay tumatagal nang 2 hanggang 4 na linggo, maaaring ito ay walking pneumonia,” he added.
