Whooping cough on the rise in Europe
Whooping cough on the rise in Europe
Back in late September, the Statens Serum Institut (SSI) in Denmark reported the following: Denmark is currently experiencing an epidemic of whooping cough. During the spring and summer, the weekly number of detected cases has increased significantly, and the SSI is now seeing levels that are more than ten times higher than normal.
Officials announced reporting 200 whooping cough, or pertussis cases in the week ending September 16 alone.
"We have seen both a rapid and strong increase in whooping cough over the past months, and since whooping cough is highly contagious, it is important to pay attention to minimizing further infection"—Senior researcher Tine Dalby from the Department of Infection Epidemiology and Prevention at SSI
The increase in pertussis also prompted a push for vaccination for pregnant women, Tine Dalby stated—"It is important that pregnant women get vaccinated against whooping cough to protect their child, especially now that we have an ongoing epidemic. In most other countries in Europe as well as in The USA, Canada and Australia have also introduced vaccination for pregnant women, and there are good experiences both in terms of safety and effectiveness"
And Denmark is not alone. The Czech Republic has also reported an increase in cases. Health officials say during the covid period, a significant decrease in droplet-borne infectious diseases, including pertussis, was observed in all European countries.
This year, there is probably a change in the epidemiological situation, and some states are reporting a significant increase in the number of confirmed cases of pertussis. The number of cases has not yet reached the values of the pre-covid period, but it can be assumed that the infection will gradually spread to the susceptible population.
This year, between January and September, 127 cases are already being reported, last year it about half – 67, and in 2021 – 39 cases.
"It is very alarming that in the case of the Czech Republic, according to available reports, there are local occurrences of whooping cough in unvaccinated children, including school-aged children. At the same time, vaccination against pertussis is among the mandatory vaccines. Developments thus suggest that whooping cough thrives largely among people who refuse vaccination. As a doctor, I perceive the denial of compulsory vaccination to a child as an unacceptable risk to health. I appeal to parents not to hesitate to consult with pediatricians if they are in doubt about vaccination, and if possible to follow the vaccination calendar," emphasized the director of the State Health Institute MUDr. Barbora Macková, MHA.
In addition to Denmark and the Czech Republic, The Netherlands is reporting an increase in the number of cases in children under five months of age. In Germany, three times more cases of pertussis are registered in 2023 than on the same date in 2022, and in Spain it’s seven times more.
Whooping cough: Why are rates on the rise again?
Whooping cough is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by the bacterium, Bordetella pertussis.
Symptoms of whooping cough usually develop within 5 to 10 days after you come into contact with the bacteria that cause it. Sometimes symptoms do not develop for as long as 3 weeks.
One to 2 weeks after the first symptoms start, people with whooping cough may develop paroxysms—rapid, violent, and uncontrolled coughing fits (a high-pitched “whoop” sound). These coughing fits usually last 1 to 6 weeks but can last for up to 10 weeks. Coughing fits generally get worse and become more common as the illness continues.
Whooping cough is most serious for newborns and infants to develop potentially life-threatening complications; especially for children younger than 4 months.