After the Covid-19 pandemic, whooping cough has made a comeback in China.
The country reported a total of 32,380 cases of pertussis, commonly called whooping cough, in January and February compared with 1,421 cases during the same period in 2023, as per the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration.
WHAT IS WHOOPING COUGH?
Whooping cough is a respiratory infection that causes coughing fits.
China reported 32,380 cases of pertussis, commonly called whooping cough, in January and February 2024.
After the Covid-19 pandemic, whooping cough has made a comeback in China.
The cases have now surged more than 20-fold in the first two months of 2024, according to Bloomberg.
The country reported a total of 32,380 cases of pertussis, commonly called whooping cough, in January and February compared with 1,421 cases during the same period in 2023, as per the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration.
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Government data confirmed the death of 13 people. Vaccinations for pertussis are administered to infants for free in China and are usually provided with a combined shot that also protects them against diphtheria and tetanus.
WHAT IS WHOOPING COUGH?
Whooping cough is a respiratory infection that causes coughing fits. A type of bacteria called Bordetella pertussis causes the infection. The name of the disease comes from the whooping noise one makes when you try to breathe in after coughing. China reported 32,380 cases of pertussis, commonly called whooping cough, in January and February 2024. (Photo: Getty Images)
The clinical symptoms occur in three stages: Stage one is when the infection lasts for around 1 to 2 weeks with viral-like symptoms such as cough, sneezing, low-grade fever, watery eyes, and redness in the eyes.
The second stage, known as paroxysmal stage, is characterised by the typical whooping cough which comes in episodes as an irritative hacking that lasts for a few minutes.
The third stage is when the severity of the symptoms begins to calm down and the person feels better.
PREVENTION AND TREATMENT
Whooping cough or pertussis can infect people of all ages, but it is most common in babies. Getting vaccinated is the best way to be protected from pertussis.
Dr Gaurav Jain, Senior Consultant, Neonatology & Paediatrics, Neonatal Emergencies and Intensive Care, said that whooping cough is a vaccine-preventable disease and falls under the universal immunisation programme of the World Health Organisation (WHO).
"The vaccination starts just after birth in the second month of life. S3 primary doses are given in the first year of life and three boosters at one and a half years, 5 years and then 10 years," said Dr Gaurav Jain.
The expert added that China is facing this situation because during the Covid-19 pandemic, many children may not have received all the doses of the vaccine.
"Because of this waning immunity, people are becoming affected by this fatal condition and this is not only with China but other countries, which is costing people's lives," said Dr Jain.
Published By: Daphne Clarance Published On: Apr 12, 2024
