European countries have reported a considerable increase in cases of whooping cough in 2023 and in the first three months of 2024, the number of identified cases being ten times higher compared to each of the two previous years, reports Reuters on Wednesday, quoted by Agerpres.
The disease is dangerous for young children and the elderly. PHOTO archive
In total, almost 60,000 cases were reported by the countries of the European Union and the European Economic Area between January 2023 and April 2024, the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) announced on Wednesday.
The epidemic has already caused 19 deaths, 11 in infants and 8 in elderly adults, the agency stated.
Also known as pertussis, whooping cough is a bacterial infection that affects the lungs and airways and is endemic in Europe.
Extremely dangerous for babies and the elderly
The infection can be particularly dangerous for young children and the elderly.
Larger outbreaks of whooping cough are expected every 3-5 years, according to the ECDC, even in countries with high vaccination rates, although a slight reduction in immunization during the COVID-19 pandemic may have been a contributing factor. growth.
The fact that during the pandemic the circulation of whooping cough was particularly low due to the associated travel restrictions makes this increase seem even greater now.
However, the figures are high compared to previous years. In the first three months of 2024, as many cases have already been registered as in an average year between 2012 and 2019.
“Whooping cough vaccines have been shown to be safe and effective”
A large portion of the population missed the natural build-up of immunity against whooping cough because they were not exposed to it during the pandemic, the agency noted.
Children under the age of six months are particularly exposed to the risk of infection.
“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 ECDC director Andrea Ammon.
In most European countries, children are routinely immunized against whooping cough. Many states also vaccinate pregnant women to protect their infants.
ECDC stated that some countries could consider the possibility of administering boosters to older children and adults, as immunity may decrease.
