Mycoplasma Pneumonia Cases Surge in Japan
Mycoplasma pneumonia, a respiratory infection caused by the bacterium Mycoplasma pneumoniae, is experiencing a significant surge in Japan. After six consecutive weeks of increasing cases, the number of patients reached an all-time high in the week ending October 6th.
Data from the National Institute of Infectious Diseases reveals an average of 1.94 Mycoplasma pneumonia patients per medical institution nationwide. This surpasses the previous record set in 1999, when the current reporting method was introduced.
The highest concentration of cases is observed in Fukui prefecture, with an average of 4.83 cases per surveyed institution. Aichi and Aomori follow closely behind with 4.27 and 4.17 cases respectively.
The infection spreads through droplets released into the air by sneezing and coughing, causing symptoms like fever, fatigue, and headache. Coughing can persist for several weeks in some cases. While mild cases may resolve on their own, severe pneumonia requiring hospitalization can occur. In rare instances, complications such as encephalitis (brain inflammation) may develop.
Antibiotics are effective in treating Mycoplasma pneumonia, leading to symptom improvement in many patients. However, the incubation period of two to three weeks can result in delayed symptom onset, sometimes long after a family member has shown signs of the illness.
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, Mycoplasma pneumonia cases remained low due to improved infection control measures and reduced social interaction. However, the current surge suggests a potential acceleration in its spread.
Experts urge the public to adopt preventive measures such as frequent handwashing and mask-wearing to mitigate the risk of infection.