DOH records nearly 200,000 flu-like cases in 2023; drug resistance of ‘walking pneumonia’ reported in China is tested

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The Department of Health (DOH) reported nearly 200,000 flu-like cases in 2023, up roughly 50% from the previous year, amid reports of an increase in respiratory illnesses among Chinese children. According to the most recent DOH data, 158,762 influenza-like cases were reported to the department via the Field Health Services Information System. The figure is 45.68% higher than the 108,982 cases reported during the same period in 2022.

According to DOH Undersecretary Eric Tayag, the majority of patients were infected with Influenza A or B viruses, while others tested positive for COVID-19. The findings come as China reports an increase in respiratory illnesses caused by the pathogen Mycoplasma pneumonia, which primarily affects children.

“In China, they relaxed their restrictions in December, and the way they explain it now, which also applies to the Philippines, is that those who were subjected to strict restrictions would not have developed sufficient immunity against other viruses or pathogens.” As a result, when restrictions were relaxed and children returned to school, the number of cases of pathogens other

Besides China, cases linked to the bacteria that cause “atypical pneumonia” or “walking pneumonia” have also been reported in the Netherlands, he said. Tayag said similar cases have already been recorded in the Philippines, but tests are usually not done to detect the disease and doctors immediately prescribe antibiotics when patients show symptoms.

He said the disease was contagious, symptoms could last for a long time, it could be transmitted through close contact and it was common in closed settings such as schools, public terminals,train stations, hospitals or even your house.

Tayag said this type of pneumonia is difficult to treat in China due to high drug resistance, adding that local researchers are currently investigating drug resistance rates in the country. He said the arrival of this pathogen would be a big problem for the DOH, especially if children under the age of eight were infected.

“We cannot give the same antibiotic to children under the age of eight because it is contraindicated.”Therefore, if children under 8 years of age get Mycoplasma pneumonia, That is a very big problem,” Tayag said.

The Ministry of Health on Wednesday allayed public concerns, saying that given the recent situation in China, there is “no evidence of new pathogens or new infectious diseases” in china.

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