Photo/Illutration The bacteria Mycoplasma pneumoniae causes respiratory infections, particularly in children. (Provided by the National Institute of Infectious Diseases)

The spread of Mycoplasma pneumonia shows no signs of slowing after six consecutive weeks of cases increasing.

This was marked by the week ending Oct. 6. Of around 500 designated medical institutions nationwide, the National Institute of Infectious Diseases reported an average of 1.94 Mycoplasma pneumonia patients per facility.

Patient numbers are at the highest-ever weekly total since the current reporting method was introduced in 1999.

By prefecture, Fukui had the highest average with 4.83 cases per institution surveyed. Aichi followed with 4.27 and Aomori with 4.17.

The list continued as follows: Osaka with 3.28, Saitama with 3.25, Ibaraki with 2.92, Tokyo with 2.88, Kochi with 2.75, Hyogo with 2.71 and Hiroshima with 2.65.

The respiratory infection, caused by the bacterium Mycoplasma pneumoniae, spreads through droplets released into the air by sneezing and coughing and leads to symptoms such as fever, fatigue and headache.

Coughing can last for several weeks in some cases.

Patients with mild symptoms may recover on their own, but some develop more severe types of pneumonia that requires hospitalization. In rare instances, complications such as encephalitis, brain inflammation, can occur.

Many Mycoplasma pneumonia patients see improvement in symptoms after taking antibiotics.

Since the incubation period is two to three weeks, symptoms can develop long after a family member has shown signs of the illness, sometimes when it is nearly forgotten.

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of Mycoplasma pneumonia patients remained low, likely due to improved infection control measures and reduced interaction between people.

However, this year, the spread of Mycoplasma pneumonia may be accelerating.

Experts advise the public to follow infection prevention measures such as washing hands and wearing masks.

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