There is an increase in whooping cough cases. According to newspaper Ekathethimerini, 54 cases of whooping cough have been recorded so far this year; 32 of these are seen in children and teenagers, and 11 are seen in babies under one year old. An adult and a newborn baby with underlying health conditions succumbed to the infection.
WHOOPING Cough
Whooping cough is a super contagious bacterial infection that affects the lungs and breathing tubes, which can cause serious complications in some. It is recommended that pregnant mothers, as well as babies and children, be vaccinated against it.
Its initial symptoms resemble a cold, then turn into coughing fits that can leave patients pale and flushed. They may make a “whooping” sound when gasping for air between coughs, hence the name whooping cough. Some may have a cough for several weeks or months.
According to the news reported by The Sun, in response to the increasing cases of whooping cough in Greece, Health Minister Eirini Agapidaki called on people to get vaccinated against the disease. Deaths were also reported in other European countries. According to the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), almost all of them occur in babies younger than three months.
Cases in the UK are higher than normal in 2024. More than 2,000 cases have been recorded so far; this number is twice that of 2023 alone.
DEATHS ACROSS EUROPE
In a recent Infectious Disease Threats Report, the EDC flagged rising numbers of whooping cough cases from Croatia to Norway, the Netherlands and Spain.
“Pertussis (also known as whooping cough) is an endemic disease worldwide, with the disease spreading every three to five years, even in the presence of a program with high vaccination coverage. The current increase is potentially due to reduced circulation during the Covid-19 pandemic and, in certain groups, the ECDC said. “It is linked to suboptimal vaccine uptake. Babies and toddlers who are too young to be fully vaccinated have also been affected, including many deaths.”
The Czech Republic reported a record number of cases this year, the largest in the last 60 years. Between January and March 2024, 3,101 cases of pertussis were reported, including 1 death. Meanwhile, Croatia reported 6,261 cases of whooping cough from January 2023 to March 15 this year. Until March this year, 822 cases of whooping cough were recorded in Denmark, 707 in Norway and 1,749 in the Netherlands. As for Spain, 5,242 cases were reported as of March this year. Health officials expressed concern about a rise in whooping cough infections in England last month. April 4 data shows that 555 cases were confirmed in January alone and 913 in February.
As vaccination rates in children have fallen in England, parents have been urged to check whether their children are protected. Whooping cough protection is covered by the six-in-one vaccine when babies are eight, 12 and 16 weeks old. The number of two-year-olds who have completed their six-in-one vaccinations was 92.9 percent by September 2023, compared to 96.3 percent in March 2014. The UK Health Safety Agency also reminded expectant mothers to get vaccinated to protect their babies at birth.
UKHSA consultant epidemiologist Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam said: “Whooping cough can affect people of all ages, but can be particularly serious for very young babies. Vaccinating pregnant women is highly effective in protecting babies from birth until they receive their own vaccine. Parents can also be vaccinated by ensuring they receive their vaccine at the right time, or if they have any vaccine at all.” “If they have missed something, they can help protect their child by making up for it as soon as possible. If you are unsure, please check your child’s red book or contact your doctor’s office.”
