This year, an unusual surge of “walking pneumonia,” also known as “white lung pneumonia,” has been reported in young children, particularly those between the ages of 2 and 4. The illness is caused by the bacteria Mycoplasma pneumoniae and has been spreading at higher-than-expected levels, according to emergency room data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Since late spring, the number of infections linked to M. pneumoniae has increased significantly among young children. By late September, nearly 7% of emergency room visits for pneumonia in this age group were attributed to this bacterial infection, down slightly from a peak of over 10% in August. Historically, M. pneumoniae infections have been more common in school-aged children, making the rise in younger age groups particularly notable.
The CDC’s National Syndromic Surveillance Program, which tracks emergency room data, confirms these trends. Data from testing company BioFire Diagnostics also shows a 14-fold increase in cases compared to the same period last year. The highest infection rates have been reported across regions in the middle of the country, including states from Texas to Iowa.
Several states have issued warnings to healthcare providers. Wisconsin’s health department reported an increase in “unusual pneumonia cases” in children and young adults, while Illinois has seen several clusters of M. pneumoniae in schools. Some hospitals have noted a rise in pediatric pneumonia cases, often linked to both M. pneumoniae and common cold-causing viruses like rhinovirus and enterovirus.
As these trends accelerate with the arrival of colder weather and the holiday season, health officials are closely monitoring the situation. However, not all areas have seen a surge in cases yet. In Pennsylvania, for example, despite statewide alerts, multiple health systems reported no significant increases.
Dr. Marian Michaels, a pediatric expert at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, notes that while cases appear to be rising, they remain below pre-pandemic levels for now. Michaels co-authored a CDC report earlier this year that found bacterial pneumonia cases increased in 2023 but remained lower than before COVID-19.
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