Cases of whooping cough have soared in 2024, after falling during the corona pandemic.
The contagious disease can be life-threatening for infants.
– There are many indications that we will get high numbers in the coming weeks and months, says Magnus Gisslén, state epidemiologist.
Whooping cough typically starts as a cold with a mild fever. Over time the cough increases and becomes more and more intense. The disease is caused by bacteria and is extremely contagious, and can last for several weeks.
Decreased during the pandemic
During the pandemic, cases of whooping cough dropped dramatically, but in 2023 they started to rise again. And the trend continues in 2024. Despite only half the year having passed, the number of cases has already tripled, from 137 last year to 448 so far this year. The increase we see now may be due to the immunity in the population becoming worse during the years when the infection was low.
– If we look week by week over the past ten years, we have a lot of whooping cough right now. We know that it usually increases during the summer and reaches its peak in early autumn. So much suggests that we will get high numbers in the coming weeks and months, says Magnus Gisslén, state epidemiologist.
Vaccines are available
There is a vaccine against whooping cough that provides protection for about five to ten years. The vaccine can be taken regardless of age, but is included in the childhood vaccination program and is recommended for pregnant women.
Whooping cough can affect anyone, but adults often have mild symptoms, which can also cause them to spread the infection further as they underestimate how ill they are. For infants, however, whooping cough can be very dangerous and, in the worst case, lead to death.
– It is very important that we protect them and this is done in several ways. One is vaccination of the child when it is three months old, but vaccination of the pregnant woman is also recommended. Antibodies are then transferred to the child so it is protected for the first three months before it itself receives vaccination, says Magnus Gisslén.