Denmark is facing a nationwide pneumonia epidemic following a tenfold increase in the number of positive tests, local media reported Thursday, citing medical experts. The experts said mycoplasma pneumonia, caused by bacteria, has been spreading rapidly among the Danish. "We have noticed that the number of positive tests for mycoplasma pneumonia has greatly increased over time, and it has now reached epidemic proportions," said Kaare Moelbak, director of the Danish National Serum Institute. This is the first time since 2005 that Denmark is hit by a bacterial pneumonia epidemic. "This particular disease can occur from time to time, usually with five to six years of time interval. Mycoplasma pneumonia usually lasts longer than an influenza epidemic. We estimate that the current epidemic will continue around three or four months," said Moelbak. Mycoplasma pneumonia, commonly known as cold pneumonia in Denmark, has typical symptoms such as long-term cough, fever and chest pain. It most affects children aged five to 15 years old and people in the 25-45 age group. "Although we call it cold pneumonia, one can still risk a fever from the pneumonia. However, the fever is milder than in a normal pneumonia," he added.
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