Now comes the threat of whooping cough world over
AFFLICTIONS occur unabated in frequent intervals. After Covid-19, now comes the emergence of whooping cough.
According to new reports, whooping cough, a highly contagious respiratory illness also known as pertussis, is making a comeback across the globe. Outbreaks are being reported in numerous countries.
China has reported a more than 20-fold increase in whooping cough cases in January and February compared to the same period last year. After confirming 32,380 cases and 13 deaths, Chinese authorities warned that it is a major cause of mortality among infants and children globally.
However, whooping cough can affect people of all ages when immunity wanes over time. The increasing number of cases has been attributed to the weakening of the vaccine's long-term effects in China.
The Bordetella pertussis bacteria that causes whooping cough also appears to have mutated, particularly in Australia. The country is facing its worst outbreak since 2013, with 2,799 cases recorded in the first three months of 2024.
A strain of the virus that was pertactin-deficient appeared to have become the dominant strain by 2017 in Australia. Pertactin is a key protein targeted by the vaccine, reported The Conversation, a network of non-profit media outlets.
The resurgence of whooping cough worldwide also includes several European nations. In contrast to the 1,200 cases discovered throughout 2023 in Spain, the country experienced an outbreak of 8,200 cases by March 2024.
Similarly, the Czech Republic has reported a record number of cases after more than 70 years, with over 6,300 this year. Post the Covid-19 pandemic, a World Health Organization (WHO) spokesperson told television news network Euronews that only 50 per cent of the countries in the European region have been able to vaccinate 90 per cent of their population.
A recent report by the Times of India said the cases have been reported in the US and the UK too.
Whooping cough is a highly contagious infection that impacts the respiratory tract and is caused by Bordetella pertussis bacteria. It gets its name from the "whooping" sound that the patient experiences while coughing. It is particularly severe in infants and in case of complications may lead to pneumonia and even death.
A person catches the bacteria via droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It attaches itself to the throat lining and then produces toxins that damage hair-like projections which clear debris and mucus.
This leads to inflammation in the airways and causes severe coughing fits. It also then leads to difficulty in breathing.
It begins with cold-like symptoms accompanied by low-grade fever. As it progresses, the cough gets accompanied by a "whooping" sound and these spells may last for a while leading to vomiting.
In infants and children, there may not be a whooping sound but may experience sleep apnea.
The most effective method to protect oneself against whooping cough is vaccination. Two vaccines protect children against whooping cough: DTaP and Tdap.
The second most important protection is maintaining hygiene and proper sanitation. This includes regular handwashing, especially after coughing or sneezing. It is also necessary to cover one's mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing.
If one develops symptoms, it is always advisable to get a medical check-up and follow the antibiotic treatment recommended by a doctor. Moreover, it is imperative to take proper bed rest while one is sick.
