LONDON, May 8 (Reuters) – European countries have reported a surge in whooping cough cases in 2023 and the first quarter of 2024, with 10 times as many identified as in each of the previous two years.
Whooping cough, or pertussis, is a bacterial infection of the lungs and airways, and is endemic in Europe.
It can be very dangerous for young babies or older people.
Bigger whooping cough epidemics are expected every 3-5 years even in countries with high vaccination rates, the ECDC said, although a slight dip in immunisation during the COVID-19 pandemic may have been a factor in the rise.
Circulation of whooping cough was also very low during the pandemic and its related restrictions on movement, making the rise seem larger.
The agency noted that much of the population had missed out on natural boosting of their immunity to whooping cough because they had not been exposed to it during the pandemic.
Most European countries routinely immunise children against pertussis and many also vaccinate pregnant women to protect their babies.
The ECDC said some countries may want to consider giving boosters to older children and adults too, as immunity can wane.
LONDON, May 8 (Reuters) – Whooping cough cases in Europe have increased dramatically in 2023 and the first quarter of 2024, with ten times as many cases reported as in the two years prior.
According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, approximately 60,000 cases—eleven deaths in infants and eight in older adults—were reported by countries in the European Union and European Economic Area during that time.
Europe is home to the bacterial infection known as whooping cough, also known as pertussis, which affects the lungs and airways. For elderly people or infants, it can be extremely dangerous.
Even in nations with high vaccination rates, larger whooping cough epidemics are predicted to occur every three to five years, according to the ECDC, though a minor decline in immunization during the COVID-19 pandemic may have contributed to the increase. The pandemic and accompanying movement restrictions also resulted in very low whooping cough circulation, which contributed to the increase appearing greater.
Nonetheless, the figures remain historically elevated. The number of cases in the first three months of 2024 is equal to the average annual number of cases between 2012 and 2019.
The organization observed that a large portion of the populace had not been exposed to whooping cough during the pandemic, so they had not naturally increased their immunity to it.
The infection is especially dangerous for infants under six months old.
“Remembering the lives at risk is crucial, especially those of our children. The efficacy and safety of pertussis vaccinations have been established,” stated Andrea Ammon, director of the ECDC.
The majority of European nations regularly vaccinate children against pertussis, and many also vaccinate expectant mothers in order to protect their unborn children. The ECDC stated that because immunity can wane, some nations might want to think about boosting older children’s and adults’ immunity as well.
To correct the photo, this story has been refiled.
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Editing by Sharon Singleton and Kevin Liffey; reporting by Jennifer Rigby.
