Europe is in the midst of an epidemic of whooping cough, a contagious disease that has recently exploded due to low vaccination rates. The European Center for Disease Prevention and Control sounds a big alarm: in the first three months of this year, the number of cases of illness is equivalent to the average of a whole year from 2012-2019
Whooping cough can be prevented by vaccination. Photo source: archive
European countries reported a sharp increase in the number of cases of whooping cough in 2023 and in the first quarter of 2024. This is about 10 times the number of cases identified than in each of the previous two years. The European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) announced that, in total, almost 60,000 cases of illness and 19 deaths were reported: 11 deaths among infants and 8 among older adults.
But larger epidemics of whooping cough are expected every 3-5 years, even in countries with high vaccination rates, ECDC also mentions. “It is essential to remember the lives at stake, especially those of our little ones. Whooping cough vaccines have been shown to be safe and effective“, said Andrea Ammon, director of the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control.
As for the situation in Romania, the figures recorded last year show us that we are better off than many other countries in the West. According to the National Center for Surveillance and Control of Communicable Diseases, in 2023, 48 suspicious cases entered the surveillance system, 25 more than the previous year. Of these, only 16 cases have been confirmed. No deaths were recorded last year. “The number of cases is low because we had good vaccine coverage at the first dose. It was 89%. And before 2022 the coverage was higher, even over 90%. Now the problem is that the vaccination does not evolve negatively“, explained for “Adevărul” university professor. Dr. Emilian Popovici, vice-president of the National Society of Epidemiology. The doctor admits that the numbers registered in our country are very small. “Cases of whooping cough are far fewer than measles, for example. The reason? Parents are still afraid of the MMR vaccine, around which there are many controversies, myths and untruths“, he explained.
What is whooping cough and how do we recognize it?
According to the European Vaccination Information Portal, whooping cough (pertussis) is a highly contagious bacterial disease that affects the lungs and airways. Also popularly known as whooping cough, it is caused by a bacteria that is found in the mouth, nose and throat of the infected person. Whooping cough mainly affects babies and the elderly, but anyone unvaccinated or immunized by the disease can contract it. “The patient is contagious from the incubation period. So, it can transmit the bacteria before the first symptoms appear. Even worse is the fact that up to 10 days can pass from the moment of actual infection to the onset of these symptoms. Long enough for that person to unknowingly spread the disease. Then, the patient remains contagious for another long period of time. These two aspects combined with the high degree of contagion, which is 90%, lead to outbreaks, to epidemics“, said the doctor.
How do we recognize this disease? “It is easy to recognize because the cough, as the main symptom, is atypical, virulent, exhausting. You cough until you almost pass out in certain situations. Young children may have apnea, may experience vomiting due to exertion. Adults can have urinary incontinence, even fractured ribs, all from the exertion of coughing.” the doctor explains the symptoms. Practically, whooping cough cannot be confused with another respiratory condition, because the cough starts suddenly, extremely violently and lasts for seven, even ten days.
Whooping cough is an airborne disease, and the resulting complications can be among the most serious. Cases of whooping cough in unvaccinated infants or infants whose mothers have not been vaccinated can be extremely serious. Complications include pneumonia, encephalopathy (a brain disease), seizures, and even death.
In adults and older children, complications include short periods of apnea, rib fractures, rectal prolapse, urinary incontinence, weight loss, hernias.
Prevention, only by vaccination
The most important way to prevent whooping cough is through a comprehensive immunization schedule. Most European countries routinely immunize children against whooping cough, and many of them also vaccinate pregnant women to protect their babies. The ECDC stated that some countries may consider giving boosters to older children and adults as immunity may wane.
“Whooping cough will be around as long as people don't vaccinate their children. All these diseases that have been kept under control will re-emerge in epidemics if the vaccination rate drops. Practically, with the passage of time, an increasingly large batch of unimmunized children will gather, and until an epidemic appears, it is only a matter of time”, said Dr. Emilian Popovici. There is no turning back here. Either it's white or it's black, continues the specialist. “Athat is, either you vaccinate and get rid of the disease, and the epidemics are kept under control, or at some point this disease will reappear. It is not possible without a vaccine, and without an epidemic”.
How to administer the vaccine
The vaccine administered in Romania is DTP. Children receive their first dose at the age of two months. Until then, however, they are exposed to the risk of illness. How could we prevent this risk? First of all, pregnant women should be vaccinated. Then, all other family members with whom the newborn will come into contact should be immunized. In this way, a herd immunity is created and the baby will be protected. The next dose of vaccine is given around the age of 6.
