Rhode Island Mycoplasma Pneumoniae

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a leading cause of respiratory infections. From September 2006 to February 2007, there was a M. pneumoniae outbreak among students at four schools in Rhode Island.

Although the outbreak was initially identified in schools, further investigations found that households were an important site of disease transmission.

Forty-two percent of household contacts who had a student with pneumonia also developed the illness. CDC provided support with field investigations, laboratory testing, and recommendations on how to control the outbreak.