Ten infants have died in England as a result of whooping cough infections since the outbreak started, according to officials at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
This fatality occurs at the same time as new UKHSA statistics indicating that this year saw over 10,000 confirmed laboratory cases of whooping cough in England. The majority of instances involve individuals aged 15 or above; however, over 300 cases have involved infants younger than three months old, who are the most vulnerable to the infection.
There have been confirmed 10 infant deaths from the outbreak, which is thought to have begun in England in November of last year. The remaining deaths happened between January and June of 2024, with the first death being reported in December of 2023. Whooping cough is reportedly making a resurgence in many parts of the world, with outbreaks in the US and the UK and deaths reported in China, the Philippines, the Czech Republic, and the Netherlands, according to a Bloomberg article.
Whooping cough: what is it?
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the extremely contagious disease is caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis, which attacks the upper respiratory tract and releases toxins that can cause the airways to enlarge.
What signs and symptoms are present?
Early whooping cough symptoms, such as a stuffy nose, low-grade fever, and a slight cough that is frequently reported, resemble those of the common cold. Because of this, diagnosis is challenging until more serious symptoms appear. The CDC states that within a week or two, symptoms might worsen and cause “rapid, violent, and uncontrollable coughing fits,” which are followed by a high-pitched “whoop” sound made after the fit ends. Fits of coughing can last for ten weeks or longer.
Who is most vulnerable?
While babies often do not cough up whooping cough, they are susceptible to breathing difficulties. Children are more prone to experience the most severe symptoms. Even in cases when symptoms are milder in teens and adults, incapacitating coughing fits might keep people up at night. The fact that individuals can carry the virus even in the absence of overt symptoms is one aggravating factor.
How do you handle it?
Doctors usually treat an infection with antibiotics once it has been identified, ideally before coughing starts. Antibiotics are not necessary for a patient who has coughed for longer than three weeks since the bacterium has probably left the body and the cough is caused by damage to the airways.
Is there a vaccine against whooping cough?
Free vaccinations in China are typically administered as a combination dose that also shields newborns from tetanus and diphtheria. There are two vaccines available in the US: one is for adults over seven years old, and the other is for children under seven. While vaccinations are routinely administered to infants in the UK, the Philippines has issued a warning about a possible shortage by May.
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