As time passes by certain illnesses also arise, according to the statement released by the World Health Organization (WHO) “lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, the arrival of the cold season, and due to circulating known pathogens.” Wherein Chinese authorities reported that there has been a rise in hospital admissions of children that were mainly attributed to Mycoplasma pneumonia, a bacterium that infects the lungs and usually leads to “walking pneumonia” mild but highly contagious. It’s spread through airborne droplets from close contact through coughing, sneezing, or speaking.

The recent rise in Mycoplasma pneumonia cases isn't a coincidence. It's likely due to a combination of factors like loosened COVID-19 restrictions, colder weather creating ideal conditions for respiratory illnesses, and other viruses circulating weakening our defenses. WHO has not yet released a outbreak warning since the virus is manageable.

 WHO and several medical experts across the globe are not yet too worried about the current outbreak in China but expect the unexpected similar to what happened with Covid-19. On Nov. 29, the Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa says that “I want to tell the people: Don’t be worried. We’re doing our own surveillance. In the Philippines, there’s been no reported rise of respiratory illnesses,” fearing that a similar surge in respiratory illness in the Philippines, urging the health care system to be prepared if there is a sudden rise of such infections.

A statement from DOH on Dec. 6, 2023 confirmed that there has been four cases in the Philippines; one report from January, another in July and two reports from September wherein the DOH confirmed that these were not new cases. DOH assured that the Philippine hospitals can treat the “walking pneumonia” and have medicines for it, assuring the citizens.

However there is no outbreak in the Philippines and that it is not yet advisable to recommend mandatory use pf face mask because the case is still manageable and that it is not alarming.