Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a highly contagious respiratory infection that is causing concern worldwide. It primarily affects young children and infants and can be potentially fatal. The infection is caused by the bacteria bordetella pertussis and spreads through respiratory droplets.
Several countries, including China, the Philippines, Thailand, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, the United States, and the United Kingdom, have reported outbreaks of whooping cough. In China, there has been a significant increase in cases, with more than 20 times the number of cases compared to the same time last year. Chinese authorities have confirmed 32,380 cases and 13 deaths, highlighting that it is a leading cause of death among newborns and young children globally. However, whooping cough can affect people of all ages as their immunity weakens. The rise in infections in China has been attributed to a decline in the long-term effectiveness of the vaccine.
Researchers have also suggested that outdoor air pollution in China may be another factor contributing to the increase in pertussis cases over the past two decades. The disease may start with symptoms similar to a regular cold but can result in persistent coughing for weeks or even months. While whooping cough tends to have a cyclical rise every three to five years, cases have been steadily increasing for more than two decades.
Australia is currently experiencing its most severe outbreak since 2013, with 2,799 cases reported in the first three months of 2024. Similarly, Spain has seen an epidemic with 8,200 cases by March 2024, and the Czech Republic has reported the highest number of infections in over 70 years, with over 6,300 cases this year.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a warning regarding whooping cough. They recommend that children receive the DTP vaccination, which protects against diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus. Adults can receive the Tdap vaccine. Pertussis is a highly contagious bacterial infection of the respiratory tract, mainly affecting newborns and young children. It spreads easily through respiratory droplets.
In 2022, there were over 62,500 cases of pertussis worldwide, with approximately 39,000 cases in the Western Pacific region alone. Immunization is key in preventing pertussis, and the Western Pacific Region had 93% coverage with three doses of the diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccine in 2022.
The symptoms of pertussis usually appear 7-10 days after infection and initially include a mild fever, runny nose, and cough. The cough then progresses into a paroxysmal cough followed by a whooping noise. While pneumonia can occur as a complication, convulsions and brain illness are rare. People with pertussis are most contagious for about 3 weeks after the cough starts, and children may experience coughing fits that last 4 to 8 weeks. Antibiotics can be used to treat the infection.
Immunization is the most effective way to prevent pertussis. The primary series of three doses of the diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP3) vaccine reduces the risk of severe pertussis in infants. In the Western Pacific Region, 93% of the target population received the recommended three doses of the vaccine during infancy in 2022. The first dose can be administered as early as 6 weeks of age, with subsequent doses given 4-8 weeks apart at ages 10-14 weeks and 14-18 weeks. A booster dose is recommended in the second year of life, and additional booster doses may be necessary based on local epidemiology.
Vaccinating pregnant women is also beneficial in preventing disease in infants who are too young to receive vaccination. In situations where there is a high or increasing morbidity and mortality from pertussis in newborns, national programs may consider immunizing pregnant women with a pertussis-containing vaccine alongside standard infant vaccinations. Taking these preventive measures can help reduce the impact of whooping cough outbreaks and protect vulnerable populations.