All you need to know about mycoplasma, the pathogen behind latest outbreak in China

China has witnessed a surge in respiratory illnesses, with the first case reported by the National Health Commission on November 13. This spike has resulted in increased hospitalisations mostly among children, with extended wait times reported by many medical facilities. The World Health Organization (WHO) recently sought more information from China on clusters of undiagnosed pneumonia in children following a report by the Program for Monitoring Emerging Diseases (ProMED), an organisation that tracks infectious disease outbreaks globally.

Mycoplasma pneumonia, a bacterial species, typically induces mild illnesses in older children and young adults. However, it can escalate to pneumonia, a lung infection. Most cases stemming from Mycoplasma pneumonia are characterised as mild, which has been locally named as ‘walking pneumonia’.

Mycoplasma spreads through contact with droplets expelled during coughing and sneezing from infected individuals. Prolonged close contact is believed to be necessary for transmission. The spread within families, schools, and institutions tends to occur gradually. The contagious period is likely to be fewer than 10 days, though occasionally it may extend beyond this duration.

Common symptoms of mycoplasma infection include fever, cough, bronchitis, sore throat, headache, and fatigue. Pneumonia is a frequent outcome, seldom requiring hospitalisation. Infections may also lead to middle ear issues (otitis media). The duration of symptoms can vary, ranging from a few days to over a month.

Symptoms generally commence two to three weeks after exposure, with the onset varying between one to four weeks.

Typically, mycoplasma infection is diagnosed based on observed symptoms and a chest X-ray. In some cases, blood tests may be conducted.

To prevent mycoplasma pneumonia infections, it is crucial to implement measures that minimise the risk of exposure. Key practices include adopting good respiratory hygiene, such as regular handwashing, and avoiding close contact with infected individuals. Maintaining clean and well-ventilated spaces can effectively reduce the likelihood of transmission of the pathogen. Individuals with compromised immune systems should exercise additional precautions to minimise their risk of exposure.

Some attribute the spike in mycoplasma cases to the lingering effects of COVID-19, suggesting that the ongoing circulation of the virus weakens people’s immune defences. While evidence indicates prolonged immune dysfunction in some post-COVID-19 cases, the extent of widespread immune impairment across the population remains uncertain.

On the other hand, an alternative explanation points to an ‘immunity debt’ resulting from reduced seasonal illnesses during COVID-19 lockdowns. The WHO team addressing the situation in China specifically highlighted an “immunity gap created by the pandemic”. Measures like social distancing and reduced travel, aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19, may have diminished immunological defences against diseases, according to WHO experts.

In response to the surge in cases of mycoplasma pneumonia and influenza flu, particularly among children in China, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya stated on Saturday that the government is actively monitoring the situation and implementing necessary measures. The Union Health Ministry, in a statement released on November 25, affirmed India's readiness for any potential exigency arising from the ongoing influenza situation in China, according to an Indian Express report.