Vietnam reports an 8-times increase in whooping cough
According to statistics from the Department of Preventive Medicine (Ministry of Health), from the beginning of 2024 until now, the country has recorded 127 cases of whooping cough, an increase of 7.9 times compared to the same period in 2023.
In Hanoi, according to the Hanoi Center for Disease Control (CDC), during the week (April 19 - 26), the city had 15 more cases of whooping cough in 11 districts, an increase of 14 cases compared to the previous week.
Thus, from the beginning of the year until now, 60 cases of pertussis have been recorded in 21 districts, while no cases were recorded during the same period last year.
Among the 21 districts that have recorded pertussis cases since the beginning of the year, Thach That has the most cases (7); Next are Cau Giay, Ha Dong and Phuc Tho - each with 5 cases; Bac Tu Liem, Nam Tu Liem and Thanh Tri - each with 4 cases; Dong Anh and Long Bien - each with 3 cases; The remaining districts each have 1-2 cases.
According to Hanoi CDC, the main cases are children under 2 months old (accounting for 60%); Children are unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated (accounting for 72%).
Subscribe to Outbreak News TV on YouTube
According to experts, whooping cough is an acute infectious disease that can spread quickly through the respiratory tract. The disease can occur at any age, but is common in children.
Whooping cough symptoms usually appear within 7-10 days after infection. The onset of the disease may be no fever or mild fever, upper respiratory tract infection, fatigue, loss of appetite and cough. Whooping cough is very characteristic, the child coughs uncontrollably, followed by a period of wheezing like a rooster crowing.
Whooping cough leads to complications such as: respiratory failure, pneumonia, cerebral hypoxia, encephalitis, conjunctival hemorrhage, even leading to respiratory arrest and death. Therefore, early detection of signs of the disease for treatment is very important.
Most serious cases are concentrated in children under 2 years old, especially under 12 months old. Adults with whooping cough often have non-special cough symptoms that are mistaken for normal coughs and become the main source of infection for young children in the home.
Regarding whooping cough, recently, the Ministry of Health and the Department of Preventive Medicine have issued many documents requesting provinces and cities to strengthen the prevention and control of whooping cough and preventable diseases with vaccines. . Accordingly, for diseases that are prevented by vaccines (measles, pertussis, diphtheria...), it is necessary to promote the implementation of the 2024 vaccination plan and perform regular vaccination for subjects under the Vaccination Program. expanded strains; Organize make-up vaccinations and vaccinations for cases that have not been fully vaccinated.
Strengthen surveillance, testing, and early detection of disease cases in the community and medical facilities; Deploy thorough handling of newly arising outbreaks.
Strengthen communication about disease prevention measures and mobilize families to get their children fully vaccinated, on schedule, with enough shots.