U.S. childhood pneumonia outbreak raises alarm, no known link to China

The recently elevated number of pediatric pneumonia cases in Warren County, Ohio, has crossed the “outbreak” threshold, health officials say. However, there is “zero evidence” the Warren cases are connected to any respiratory activity “statewide, nationally, or internationally,” county health officials said.

According to a press release from the Warren County Health District on Thursday, there have been 145 cases of pediatric pneumonia reported in children ages 3 to 14.

“Not only is this above the county average, it also meets the Ohio Department of Health definition of an outbreak. We do not think this is a novel/new respiratory disease but rather a large uptick in the number of pneumonia cases normally seen at one time,” a release on Wednesday said.

When reached for additional comment by Newsweek, Warren County Health District sent Thursday’s press release.

“While the number of cases is higher this year, the severity is similar to previous years. Most cases recover at home and are treated with antibiotics,” Thursday’s Warren County press release also stated. County health officials say among the pathogens recovered included “Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Streptococcus pnuemoniae and Adenovirus.”

There have been no reported deaths, county officials added.

Several portions of China, meanwhile, have also recently been hit by a surge in respiratory illnesses, which have particularly affected children. Northern provinces in China have experienced a jump in flu-like illnesses for five consecutive weeks since mid-October.

The rapid spread of COVID-19 in 2020 prompted strict public health restrictions and quarantine measures across the globe. Several nations, including Taiwan, India and Vietnam, are now preparing, given China’s recent uptick in respiratory illnesses. The ailments have also put a strain on China’s hospital system and are reminiscent of the coronavirus outbreak, which originated in Wuhan in December 2019.

The Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research (NIVEL) has also reported a spike in child pneumonia cases. The Messenger reported that in the past week, 80 out of every 100,000 children ages 5 to 14 came down with pneumonia.

While speaking to Congress on Thursday, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Mandy Cohen, said that the uptick in respiratory illness in China is not from “a new or novel pathogen,” according to NBC News.

Amid the rise in pneumonia cases in Ohio, social media users are calling attention to the outbreak.

Notably, conservative radio talk-show host and founder of Turning Point USA, Charlie Kirk, took to X, formerly Twitter, on Thursday: “JUST IN—The ‘Mystery pneumonia’ affecting kids and ripping through China and parts of Europe, is reportedly now in America. 142 child cases of ‘white lung syndrome’ have now been recorded in Warren County, Ohio since August, meaning if true, it’s been here for months.”

Kirk continued, “CDC officials are saying ‘nothing is out of the ordinary’ but according to county health official ‘Not only is this above the county average, it also meets the Ohio Department of Health definition of an outbreak.’ Just in time for election season! Whatever is going on, never again and do not comply.”

Warren County health officials have not named this illness “white lung syndrome” and also said on Thursday, “It is not uncommon for respiratory illnesses to spread in the community during this time of year.”

Entrepreneur Mario Nawfal also posted to X, saying in part, “BREAKING: US Kids Pneumonia Outbreak – Ohio Fights Back, WHO Probes China’s Crisis!

“Ohio is battling a frightening outbreak of pediatric pneumonia, prompting an emergency express lane for kids, as the US faces a health emergency mirroring China’s.

“The US is reeling from a sharp rise in child respiratory infections, closely resembling China’s alarming outbreak.”