December 5, 2023
2 mins read

Massachusetts: Second State Hit by Child Pneumonia Outbreak

Doctors in the Bay State noticed the rise in cases as Ohio reported enough cases to meet that state’s definition of an outbreak, reports the New York Post….reports Asian Lite News

As the mysterious pneumonia cases in children rise across the world, Massachusetts has become the second US state to report a sudden surge in the number of pneumonia cases in young kids.

Ohio was the first US state that recorded 142 cases of pneumonia in children since August — above the county average — amid a mysterious viral outbreak in China.

Doctors in the Bay State noticed the rise in cases as Ohio reported enough cases to meet that state’s definition of an outbreak, reports the New York Post.

However, physicians in western Massachusetts believe it is mostly RSV, a respiratory virus that kills more than 10,000 Americans each year.

“This is the season for RSV and we’re seeing a whole lot of it … a lot of kids with upper viral respiratory infections, cough, runny nose, some fevers,” Dr John Kelly from Redwood Pediatrics in East Longmeadow told Western Mass News.

“RSV can cause lower viral respiratory infections, so they get spread to your lungs,” the doctor added.

The illness has spread across multiple school districts and the average age of those fallen ill is 8.

The US outbreaks come as pneumonia cases in children are unexpectedly surging in the Netherlands at an alarming rate.

Last week, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said that the recent pneumonia outbreak in China among young children is not caused by any new virus.

CDC Director Mandy Cohen said it is related to existing pathogens like Covid, flu, RSV and mycoplasma.

“We believe there is no new or novel pathogen,” Cohen said during a House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations hearing.

“These are related to existing pathogens — Covid, flu, RSV and mycoplasma, a bacterium that can infect the lungs.”

The most common symptoms include cough, fever and fatigue. Among the pathogens recovered included Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Streptococcus pnuemoniae and Adenovirus.

The health authorities called for taking necessary precautions such as washing hands, and staying home when ill. Separately, the Netherlands and Denmark have also reported cases.

ALSO READ: Pro-Palestinian Protest in Philly Draws White House Flak

Previous Story

Pro-Palestinian Protest in Philly Draws White House Flak

Next Story

Democratic Senators Demand Israel Reduce Civilian Casualties

Latest from -Top News

Trump tariffs send world markets into panic

US benchmark crude oil shed $2.70 to $64.25 a barrel after major oil producers announced they plan to increase production. Brent crude, the international standard, was down $2.63 at $67.51 a barrel

EU prepares retaliation for Trump’s tariffs

The European Commission is assembling a fresh round of counter-tariffs aimed at US goods, adding to two existing lists of potential targets—one of which includes products that were hit by suspended tariffs

US, EU slam China’s war games near Taiwan

US President Donald Trump underscored the need to maintain peace in the Taiwan Strait, advocating for a diplomatic approach to cross-strait tensions while warning against the use of force The United States

£13.9 billion of R&D fund to boost innovation, jobs

Funding outlined to support transformational R&D in areas like life sciences, green energy, engineering and beyond More UK innovators like those developing treatment-transforming dementia tests or building world-leading testing facilities to power
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Trump’s Ultimatum to ‘Dictator’ Zelensky

The warning came after Zelensky complained that Ukraine was not

US govt allows work permits for spouses of H-1B visa holders

The settlement was reached by the Department of Homeland Security