Wisconsin DHS Health Alert #62: Increase in Mycoplasma Pneumoniae Cases in Wisconsin
Bureau of Communicable Diseases
October 18, 2024
Key points
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Mycoplasma pneumonia (M. pneumoniae) activity is increasing nationwide and in Wisconsin.
- Every three to seven years an increase in M. pneumoniae cases are identified in the United States.
- People of all ages are at risk for getting M. pneumoniae infection, but it is most common among young adults and school-aged children.
- The increased incidence in Wisconsin began in late August and September, corresponding to the start of the school year.
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M. pneumoniae cases are usually mild, but some infections have resulted in hospitalizations and admissions to an Intensive Care Unit.
- There is no vaccine to prevent M. pneumoniae infection. For moderate to severe cases, antibiotic therapy can be prescribed by a clinician.
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has received multiple notices from clinicians statewide regarding an increased incidence of unusual pneumonia cases among school-aged children and young adults. These cases are suspected to be infections caused by the bacteria M. pneumoniae.
Surveillance of clinical laboratory testing and data from emergency department visits confirms an increase in M. pneumoniae infections statewide. People of all ages are at risk for getting M. pneumoniae infection, but it is most common among young adults and school-aged children. People living or working in crowded settings are at increased risk. These settings include:
- Schools
- College residence halls
- Long-term care facilities
- Detention or correctional facilities
- Military training facilities
It can take one to four weeks for symptoms to appear after someone has been exposed to the bacteria. Common symptoms of M. pneumoniae infection include fever, slowly worsening cough, sore throat, headache, and fatigue. Symptoms, especially a cough may persist for a few days to more than a month and may develop into pneumonia.
Recommendations
Reporting: Individual cases of M. pneumoniae are not reportable in Wisconsin. Health care providers are encouraged to notify local and Tribal health departments of suspect outbreaks and unusual case presentations of M. pneumoniae infections.
Testing: M. pneumoniae is most commonly diagnosed by a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test on a specimen collected from a nasopharyngeal or nasal swab. PCR tests for M. pneumoniae offer high sensitivity and specificity and provide timely results for treatment decisions. Many laboratories have the ability to perform a multiplex respiratory pathogen PCR panel that includes M. pneumoniae. Serology tests for antibodies may also be performed, but serology results are less reliable than PCR testing.
Treatment: Antibiotics may be prescribed for patients with moderate to severe illness caused by M. pneumoniae. Recommended antibiotics include:
- Macrolides for children and adults
- Tetracyclines for older children and adults
- Fluoroquinolones for adults
Prevention
There is no vaccine to prevent M. pneumonia infection and no recommended antibiotic prophylaxis. Encourage good personal hand hygiene, disposal of used tissues, and covering a cough. Encourage ill patients to stay home and not risk infecting others.
Sincerely,
Sheryl A. Bedno, MD, DrPH, FACOEM (she/her/hers)
Chief Medical Officer and State Epidemiologist
Bureau of Environmental and Occupational Health
Division of Public Health
Wisconsin Department of Health Services
Questions
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