Increase in Pediatric Pneumonia Cases Reported in 11 States, CDC Urges Precautions to Prevent Spread

U.S. health officials have reported an increase in pediatric pneumonia cases in 11 states, mostly in the South and Southwest. The illnesses are not suspected of being a new or novel respiratory virus, but instead appear to be an uptick in the number of typical pediatric pneumonia cases.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is looking into reports of pneumonia outbreaks in two states, but Dr. Mandy Cohen, head of the CDC, said “there is no evidence” that they are due to anything unusual. In Ohio’s Warren County, 145 cases have been reported in children aged 3 to 14 years old.

These cases of pediatric pneumonia, which some have referred to as “white lung syndrome,” typically cause cough, fever and fatigue. Symptoms of the illness can be serious, but are not as severe as those caused by Covid-19, which continues to cause the most hospitalizations and deaths among respiratory illnesses.

The CDC is urging people to take precautions to prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses, such as washing hands often, avoiding close contact with people who are sick, and staying home when feeling ill. It is also important to get a flu shot to protect against the flu, which is picking up steam.