epocrates

Ohio reports record pediatric pneumonia outbreak

December 1, 2023

Ohio is the first state to report an outbreak of pediatric pneumonia, with 145 cases involving children ages 3 to 14 years old, in Warren County since August of this year. The most common symptoms are cough, fever, and fatigue. State health officials are working to determine the cause of the illness and further prevent its spread. (Oliver, Moniuscko, 2023)

Although some have dubbed the outbreak "white lung syndrome," Ohio officials do not think it's a new respiratory disease but “rather a large uptick in the number of pneumonia cases normally seen at one time.” The Warren County Health District says no deaths have been reported, and the illnesses are no more severe than in previous years. (Palmer, 2023; Oliver, Moniuscko, 2023)

China and Denmark have also reported outbreaks of mycoplasma pneumonia, a respiratory illness caused by bacteria. (Bendix, Herzberb, 2023)

CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen addressed questions about the U.S. outbreak at a House committee hearing Thursday, saying there is no evidence of a new virus like SARS-CoV-2 in the China outbreak.

"What we do know ... as of today is we do not believe this is a new or novel pathogen," she said. "We believe this is all existing, meaning COVID, flu, RSV, mycoplasma." (Oliver, Moniuscko, 2023).

Sources:

Oliver, M and Moniuszko, S. (2023, December 1). CBS News. Ohio "white lung" pneumonia cases not linked to China outbreak or novel pathogens, experts say. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ohio-white-lung-pneumonia-not-linked-to-china-outbreak-novel-pathogen-experts/

Bendix, A and Herzberb, J. (2023, November 30). NBC News. What is mycoplasma pneumonia, the illness driving an outbreak in Ohio? https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/mycoplasma-pneumonia-illness-outbreak-china-denmark-ohio-what-know-rcna127372

Palmer, T. (2023, December 1). The Hill. What is 'White Lung Syndrome,' the Ohio child pneumonia outbreak? https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/4337493-what-is-white-lung-syndrome-the-ohio-child-pneumonia-outbreak/