Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 6) — The Department of Health (DOH) confirmed there are four cases of “walking pneumonia” in the country but assures the public that all have recovered.
“As of November 25, 2023, there are a total of four confirmed cases of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection among reported Influenza-like Illness (ILI) cases. These cases have been reported in the previous morbidity weeks 3, 30, 37, and 38, with one case each,” the DOH said at a briefing.
In a separate statement, the department said medicines to treat the pathogen are available in the county and local doctors “can easily prevent its transmission.”
All these cases (of M. pneumoniae) have recovered. More than half of confirmed ILI cases were due to other well-known and commonly detected pathogens,” the DOH said.It added that walking pneumonia is “not new or unusual” and has been previously detected among other cases.
“This 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 pneumoniae is China,” the DOH said.
The WHO describes Mycoplasma pneumoniae as a common bacterial infection that typically affects younger children. It is treated by antibiotics, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Last week, Health Undersecretary Eric Tayag told CNN Philippines there were no cases reported locally as the illness infects more people in China.
Tayag explained the Philippines has recorded the illness before, but physicians nowadays would immediately prescribe antibiotics for a suspected patient once they detect the illness’ symptoms.
