The Philippines recorded a total of four cases of mycoplasma pneumoniae, also known as "walking pneumonia," the Department of Health said Wednesday.

"As of November 25, 2023, there are a total of four confirmed cases of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection among reported influenza-like illness cases," the department said.

The four cases were separately reported in January, July, and September.

According to the department, mycoplasma pneumoniae is "not a new pathogen and has been previously detected among local cases."

Earlier this week, Health Secretary Teodoro "Ted" Herbosa said there is no outbreak of mycoplasma pneumoniae in the country.

During the Commission on Appointments' deliberation on his ad interim appointment as secretary of the Department of Health, Senator Christopher "Bong" Go sought Herbosa's recommendation to mitigate the spread of respiratory illness in the country.

"It is true, not only in China but now other countries in Europe have reported an increase in respiratory illness in children. It was not attributed to a new virus," Herbosa responded.

"In the Philippines, there is no outbreak yet, according to our Epidemiology Bureau. Although there were many because we are now in a season of respiratory illness," he added.

Data from the Health Department showed that from January to October 2023, a total of 158,762 pneumonia cases were reported in the Philippines.

The number of pneumonia cases is 45.68 percent higher than the 108,982 cases reported in the same period last year.