Tuesday 17/March/2026 – 01:47 AM
The New York City Department of Health announced the recording of the first severe case of the disease Mycoplasma pneumonia in the city, after tests showed that the patient was infected with the Clade I strain, which is one of the most dangerous genotypes of the virus, which may be life-threatening and cause severe symptoms compared to the second most common strain globally.
Recording the first case of severe mycoplasma pulmonary disease
Officials explained that the patient had recently traveled outside the country, and no cases of local transmission had been recorded in the city so far, which reduces the risk of spread among the local population.
Dr. Mark Siegel, chief medical analyst at Fox News, said that the first strain of Mycoplasma pneumoniae may be transmitted through direct contact, kissing, or close contact with respiratory droplets, but it does not spread long distances through the air.
He added that people with weak immunity or young children are more vulnerable to severe cases.
What is acute mycoplasma pulmonary disease?
Acute mycoplasma pneumonia is a viral infection caused by the Clade I strain of mpox virus, characterized by more severe symptoms compared to the second strain (Clade II) that caused previous global outbreaks.
The virus is transmitted mainly through direct contact with infected people, touching skin rashes or secretions, kissing, or exposure to respiratory droplets in close proximity, but it is not transmitted through the air over long distances.
Its symptoms include fever, fatigue, muscle pain, painful and blistering skin rash, swollen lymph nodes, and respiratory symptoms, and in some cases it may develop into serious complications including neurological problems or eye infections, especially in children or those with weak immune systems.
