Whooping cough cases have surged in China, with over 32,000 infections and 13 deaths recorded in just the first three months of 2023. This is a significant increase from the same period last year. The Chinese Agency for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has expressed concern about the potential outbreak of the disease.
Whooping cough is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by Bordetella pertussis bacteria. It poses a severe risk to infants, leading to severe symptoms and even death. Symptoms can often be mistaken for a common cold at first but typically appear seven to ten days after infection. Treatment mainly involves antibiotics, but vaccination is the most effective preventive measure.
Vaccination programs have faced challenges during the pandemic, with a decline in vaccination rates observed globally. This has led to an increase in pertussis cases in various countries, including China. Urgent action is needed to ensure that vaccination programs are maintained and that individuals are protected from preventable diseases like whooping cough.
The World Health Organization recommends three doses of diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccines to reduce the risk of whooping cough. Vaccinating pregnant women has also been shown to prevent whooping cough in newborns.
The sudden increase in whooping cough cases highlights the importance of maintaining vaccination programs and ensuring that individuals are protected from preventable diseases like whooping cough.