Walking Pneumonia

• 28 Nov 2023

Source: TH

Why in News?

Recently, a mysterious influenza-like illness termed as Walking Pneumonia has gripped school children in China.

• The outbreak's exact cause is unknown, but medical experts speculate it might be linked to mycoplasma pneumoniae, a common bacterial infection known as 'walking pneumonia.'
• Chinese authorities assert it involves familiar pathogens like mycoplasma pneumoniae, adenovirus, and influenza virus, ruling out novel pathogens like Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) coronavirus.

What is Walking Pneumonia?

• About:
  • Walking pneumonia, also known as atypical pneumonia, is a milder form of pneumonia caused by bacteria like Mycoplasma pneumoniae.
  • It's termed "walking" pneumonia because its symptoms are often mild enough that individuals can continue their daily activities without requiring bed rest or hospitalization.
  • The condition is more prevalent among children, particularly those aged 5 to 15, who are in close contact at schools and can easily transmit the infection to family members.
• Transmission:
  • Transmission occurs through airborne droplets from coughing, sneezing, or talking, making close contact a significant factor in spreading the infection.
• Symptoms:
  • Typical symptoms include a persistent cough, fever, sore throat, headache, runny nose, ear pain, and sometimes chest discomfort due to coughing.
• Treatment:
  • Treatment typically involves antibiotics to target the specific bacteria causing the infection.

What are the Initiatives Related to Pneumonia?

• India:
  • Social Awareness and Action to Neutralise Pneumonia Successfully (SAANS): The aim is to reduce child mortality due to pneumonia, which contributes to around 15% of deaths of children under the age of five annually.
    • The government aims to achieve a target of reducing pneumonia deaths among children to less than three per 1,000 live births by 2025.
  • In 2014, India launched ‘Integrated Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Pneumonia and Diarrhoea (IAPPD)’ to undertake collaborative efforts towards prevention of diarrhoea and Pneumonia related under-five deaths.
• Global:
  • The World Health Organisation and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) had launched an integrated Global Action Plan for Pneumonia and Diarrhoea (GAPPD) with the objective of eliminating preventable childhood deaths from pneumonia and diarrhoea by 2025.