Whooping Cough Outbreak: The cases of Whooping Cough, a highly contagious respiratory infection, are increasing rapidly across the world. According to media reports, the Whooping Cough Outbreak has been reported in several countries like China, the Philippines, Czech Republic, the Netherlands, the United States and the United Kingdom.
As per China’s National Disease Control and Prevention Administration, until February 2024, more than 32,000 cases were identified which was 20 times higher than a year earlier.
Also, known as pertussis, the infection is difficult to detect early and can be fatal, especially in children and babies. Thirteen deaths were reported in China in the first two months of 2024, as per Bloomberg.
Reportedly, the Philippines said infection figures were 34 times higher than last year, with 54 deaths recorded in the first three months of 2024.
What is Whooping Cough?
Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a highly contagious respiratory illness. It is caused by a type of bacteria called Bordetella pertussis. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the bacteria gets attached to the cilia that line part of the upper respiratory system and it releases toxins, which damage the cilia and cause airways to swell.
Mayo Clinic maintains that although deaths linked with whooping cough are rare, it most commonly occurs in infants.
What are the causes of Whooping Cough?
Whooping Cough can spread from one person to another when an infected person coughs or sneezes, tiny germ-laden droplets are sprayed into the air. When a healthy person breathes these droplets, they get infected.
What are the symptoms of Whooping Cough?
In the beginning, Whopping Cough may appear like like a common cold, but unlike a cold, the coughing can last for weeks or months. According to CDC, the symptoms of like a common cold, but unlike a cold, the coughing can last for weeks or months. In some cases, the symptoms may not develop for as long as 3 weeks.
They’re usually mild at first and resemble those of a common cold:
- Runny nose
- Nasal congestion
- Red, watery eyes
- Fever
- Cough
After a week or two, signs and symptoms worsen. Thick mucus accumulates inside your airways, causing uncontrollable coughing.
Severe and prolonged coughing attacks may:
- Provoke vomiting
- Result in a red or blue face
- Cause extreme fatigue
- End with a high-pitched “whoop” sound during the next breath of air. However, many people don’t develop the characteristic whoop. Sometimes, a persistent hacking cough is the only sign that an adolescent or adult has whooping cough.
Infants may not cough at all. Instead, they may struggle to breathe, or they may even temporarily stop breathing.
How to prevent Whooping Cough?
According to Mayo Clinic, the best way to prevent whooping cough is with the pertussis vaccine, which doctors often give in combination with vaccines against two other serious diseases — diphtheria and tetanus.
