Medical News: Mysterious White Lung Pneumonia Strikes Ireland While Experts Say Similar Outbreak In Netherlands Not Linked To Mycoplasma Pneumoniae!
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Dec 05, 2023 11 months, 2 weeks, 3 days, 12 hours, 44 minutes ago
Medical News: In a startling turn of events, Ireland has become the latest European nation grappling with a surge in pneumonia cases, echoing the haunting memories of the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.
https://promedmail.org/ (Scroll down and refer to report on Ireland)
https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/children-in-ireland-among-small-rise-in-cases-of-lung-infection-causing-concern-in-china/a2105333189.html
Mycoplasma pneumoniae, a bacterial culprit, is claimed to be at the center of this mysterious outbreak that first started in China, and as the situation unfolds, a parallel crisis emerges in the Netherlands, Denmark and various parts of Europe. The world is now on high alert as medical experts attempt to decipher the enigma behind the sudden rise in infections. Are we on the brink of a new health crisis, or is there a hidden connection that binds these alarming incidents together?
Confusions are arising as in many cases; laboratory diagnostics have ruled out mycoplasma pneumoniae involvement. In China where a massive mysterious pneumonia outbreak first emerged and is becoming a worrisome issue day by day as cases mount, the Chinese authorities have declared that no novel pathogen is at play but rather existing pathogens such as RSV, Influenza virus and even SARS-CoV-2 are the contributing factors.
To date, there are no clear answers with many others claiming that ‘immunity debt’ due to previous lockdowns are at play and others saying that SARS-CoV-2 induced immune dysfunction is a contributing factor.
To further complicate the situation, many new SARS-CoV-2 sub-lineages and recombinant variants have emerged and with minimal genomic surveillance and some of these new sub-lineages and variants not detectable by current ATK test kits or even by the current PCR testing protocols, we could even be having a ‘silent’ spread of various new SARS-CoV-2 sub-lineages. Already emerging data is showing that the offspring of the BA.2.86 variant ie. JN.1 is expected to become predominant in circulation in coming weeks and has enhanced affinity for both TMPRSS2 and ACE2. Some of the spawns of the BA.2.86 variant and even of the JN.1 sub-lineage are not detectable by many existing ATK test kits!
The first ominous signals emanated from Beijing in mid-November, where overwhelmed children's hospitals sounded a global alarm. The scenes were eerily reminiscent of the initial days of the COVID-19 pandemic, triggering fears of a potential viral outbreak. However, Chinese officials swiftly dismissed these concerns, attributing the surge to Mycoplasma pneumoniae and other routine respiratory illnesses like the flu and RSV. While both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention accepted China's explanation, recent developments in Ireland and Europe challenge the narrative.
Across the Atlantic in Warren County, Ohio, and East Longmeadow, Massachusetts, doctors report an alarming increase in pediatric pneumonia cases, attributing the rise to Mycoplasma pneumoniae alongside the usual res
piratory illnesses that accompany the winter season. The European continent is not immune to this concerning trend, with Denmark declaring a pneumonia epidemic and France grappling with a higher-than-average caseload.
Ireland, now grappling with a sudden surge in pneumonia cases, recorded a staggering 15 instances in October and November alone. This marks a significant uptick from the mere one case reported in the same period last year, sending shockwaves through the country's healthcare system. Notably, almost half of these cases involve children, amplifying concerns and intensifying the urgency for a comprehensive response.
Meanwhile at present, the Netherlands is witnessing a disturbing spike in pediatric pneumonia cases, particularly among children aged 5 to 14 years. The Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research (NIVEL) reported a drastic increase to 130 cases per 100,000 children in the week leading up to November 26, a stark contrast to the peak of 58 cases recorded last year. However, health authorities remain perplexed, as the outbreak in the Netherlands has not yet been conclusively linked to Mycoplasma pneumoniae.
In a parallel crisis, Denmark's Statens Serum Institut (SSI) reported a staggering three-fold increase in pneumonia cases within five weeks, soaring from 168 to a concerning 541. Senior researcher Hanne-Dorthe Emborg expressed deep concern, telling
Medical News reporters, "The number of new cases has increased significantly, and we are now seeing significantly more cases than usual, with widespread infection throughout the country."
As the world watches in suspense, myriad questions loom large. Is this a mere coincidence, or is there a concealed connection between these seemingly isolated outbreaks? Mycoplasma pneumoniae, already a circulating pathogen causing millions of infections annually in the U.S., adds a layer of complexity to the situation. Health officials are now caught between offering reassurance and grappling with growing uncertainty.
The global medical community is racing against time to unravel the mystery behind the mysterious white lung pneumonia gripping Europe. With each passing day, the world holds its breath, demanding answers to this unfolding health crisis that has captivated headlines worldwide. Stay tuned for further updates, as the relentless pursuit of truth continues in the face of an evolving and escalating global health mystery.
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