The cases of Whooping Cough, a highly contagious respiratory infection, are increasing rapidly across the world.
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.
Whooping Cough Outbreak has been reported in several countries like China, the Philippines, Czech Republic, the Netherlands, the United States and the United Kingdom.
Also, known as pertussis, the infection is difficult to detect early and can be fatal, especially in children and babies.
In the beginning, Whopping Cough may appear like like a common cold, but unlike a cold, the coughing can last for weeks or months.
Infants may not cough at all. Instead, they may struggle to breathe, or they may even temporarily stop breathing.
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.
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.