LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte (PIA) – “In Ilocos Norte, there are no detected cases of walking pneumonia,” Dr. Rickson Balalio of the Provincial Health Office (PHO) confirms during the Joint Peace and Order Council (PPOC) and Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (PADAC) on Dec. 28.
Walking pneumonia is a known and common pathogen that causes different infections including colds and pneumonia.
It is one of the influenza-like illnesses (ILI) which presents as fever, sore throat, and cough.
In his report, there are four cases in the country but the detected cases are not new.
“Only four or 0.08 percent of the confirmed ILI cases from January to November 2023 were due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae or walking pneumonia. All these cases have recovered,” says Balalio.
Although there is no detected case in the province, the medical officer reminds Ilokanos to follow safety measures to prevent walking pneumonia.
Some tips include covering the nose and mouth with a tissue when sneezing or coughing; regular washing of hands with soap and clean water for at least 20 seconds; and wearing mask around sick people.
It can be recalled that walking pneumonia has caused outbreaks in China and Denmark recently.
It has been termed “walking” pneumonia as individuals infected with this type of pneumonia do not experience symptoms severe enough to confine them to bed rest. (JCR/MJTAB PIA Ilocos Norte)
