HALIFAX There has been a notable decrease in cases of walking pneumonia, or mycoplasma pneumoniae, among Canadian children following a sharp rise in infections in recent months. Dr. Kirstin Weerdenburg, a pediatric emergency physician at the IWK Health Centre in Halifax, reported that she encountered more cases of walking pneumonia in the past six months than in her entire 15-year career. In 2023, the hospital recorded 11 cases of this infection; however, in the first ten months of 2024, there were 163 confirmed cases.
Despite the downward trend in walking pneumonia cases, Dr. Weerdenburg has observed an increase in seasonal viruses, particularly respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza, in recent weeks. Dr. Jesse Papenburg, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at the Montreal Children’s Hospital, echoed these sentiments, confirming that as the outbreak of walking pneumonia subsides, other respiratory infections are becoming more prevalent, specifically influenza.
Dr. Papenburg highlighted that while many influenza cases are mild, they pose significant risks to vulnerable populations, including young children, seniors over 75, and individuals with certain chronic health conditions. In Canada, influenza is responsible for more than 1,000 child hospitalizations each year, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada. He emphasized that families should consider getting vaccinated against the flu, as it is not too late to do so.
Flu symptoms typically manifest within one to four days post-exposure and can include sudden fever, cough, and muscle aches, along with chills, fatigue, headache, sore throat, and runny nose. Additionally, some children might experience gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Families are also urged to remain vigilant for RSV, which may present symptoms between two to eight days after exposure. Symptoms of RSV include coughing, sneezing, wheezing, decreased appetite, fatigue, fever, and a runny nose. In infants, the indicators can also consist of irritability and breathing difficulties. Dr. Papenburg noted that RSV positivity rates in Quebec are currently over 20 percent, indicating a peak season for this virus.
Most children will have contracted an RSV infection by the age of two, as it is a common cause of bronchiolitis, a type of lung infection, and pneumonia. Dr. Papenburg praised recent governmental initiatives in Quebec and Ontario to offer free immunization against RSV for young infants this fall. He underscored the significance of this vaccine, stating that it is the first effective preventive measure against severe RSV diseases, particularly among children under one year of age, who are at higher risk for hospitalization.
Dr. Papenburg described the introduction of the RSV vaccine as a transformative advancement in pediatric care, capable of significantly reducing emergency department visits and associated hospitalizations. He noted that this development stands out as a major breakthrough in tackling pediatric infections in recent times.
This report underscores the evolving landscape of respiratory infections affecting children in Canada, shifting from a focus on walking pneumonia to dealing with influenza and RSV as the primary concerns.
