The number of cases of infections Mycoplasma pneumoniae is increasing in Japan, with an average of 2.01 patients affected across 500 hospitals nationwide during the week of October 20-27.
According to the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, since the first data calculated with the current method in 1999, this is the first time that this figure has exceeded the 2.0 mark, the old weekly record having been 1.64 in 2016.
This bacteria infects the upper respiratory tract through airborne droplets and close contact with a patient, causing pharyngitis and tonsillitis. More than 80% of those affected are under the age of 15.
Symptoms, mostly mild, include fever, headache and cough, which may continue for weeks after the fever has subsided. The Ministry of Health recommends washing your hands with soap and wearing a mask to reduce the risk of transmission.
[Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
