Whooping cough: History, Cases Rising in Europe, Infected, Death, Cure,Emergency Response And Everything To Know
Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. It is characterized by severe coughing fits that can last for weeks, earning it the nickname “100-day cough.”. While vaccination has significantly reduced its impact, recent years have seen a resurgence of cases across Europe. Let’s delve into the reasons behind this resurgence and its implications.
Nature of Whooping Cough:
- Whooping cough cases tend to peak every three to five years. The last peak in most European countries occurred either in 2012 or 2018.
- Sylvain Brisse, Director of the Institut Pasteur’s Biodiversity and Epidemiology of Bacterial Pathogens Unit, explains that the current resurgence is quite logical given the cyclical nature of the disease.
- However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and infection control measures, there was a delay in the resurgence. In 2020 and 2021, there were almost no reported cases of whooping cough.
Decreased Vaccination Coverage:
- Pertussis vaccination coverage has decreased across the European region since the pandemic.
- Before 2019, almost 70% of countries reported 90% or higher coverage with the first booster dose of the vaccine. Now, only about 50% of countries achieve this level of coverage.
- The decline in vaccination rates contributes to the recent increase in cases.
Countries Affected:
- Several European countries have witnessed a rise in whooping cough cases:
- Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Spain, Sweden, and Norway reported increases since mid-2023.
- The Czech Republic and the Netherlands have seen particularly high increases in 2024.
- Greece also reported more cases than the previous year.
- In the UK, cases have risen sharply, with 553 cases in January 2024 compared to 858 cases for the entire year 2023.
Impact on Vulnerable Populations:
- Infants are particularly vulnerable to whooping cough before vaccination.
- The Netherlands reported 228 cases in infants between January and March 2024.
- In Greece, two people have died from pertussis since the start of 2024, including a newborn baby.
- Older adults are also at risk, with 8 deaths reported during the epidemic in Europe.
Urgency for a New Vaccine:
- Despite widespread vaccination, 20 to 40 million cases of whooping cough occur globally each year, resulting in 200,000 to 300,000 deaths.
- Researchers are working on a new vaccine that offers long-lasting protection to address the resurgence.
