New strain of drug- and vaccine-resistant ‘100-day cough’ affecting children poses a ‘global threat’, scientists warn

EXPERTS warn about the emergence of a strain of whooping cough that is highly resistant to vaccines and antibiotics.

The new research – which was published as a prepress and has not yet been peer-reviewed – warns that the mutant disease poses a “global” health threat.

Outbreaks of ‘100-day cough’, as it is also known, have been reported in Europe, Asia and the US in 2024.

Since January, whooping cough cases have risen sharply in the UK and Europe, the biggest increase since 2012.

The US reported small clusters in several areas, including New York, San Francisco and Hawaii.

China recorded more than 15,000 cases in January this year, a 15 times increase in the same period last year.

It is common for disease spikes to occur, caused by Bordetella pertussis or Bordetella parapertussis bacteria, occurring every three or four years.

Experts have so far attributed the unusually high number of cases around the world this year to weakening population immunity – a hangover from pandemic restrictions.

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But scientists in China believe it is “more likely” that the virus mutated to improve its ability to evade vaccine-induced protection.

“The evolution of the pathogen, rather than the widely accepted notion of decreased immunity or ‘immune debt’, is more likely the main factor driving the increase in whooping cough, age change and vaccine avoidance”, they state. the authors, who monitored the disease.

The country is battling the rise of a new strain of the virus called MR-MT28, which appears to be “only capable of causing substantial infections among older children and vaccinated individuals,” they added.

It is also resistant to many antibiotics used to treat the infection, including azithromycin, clarithromycin and erythromycin, they said.

The researchers analyzed disease samples from patients admitted to Fudan University Children’s Hospital (CHFU) in Shanghai with whooping cough between June 2016 and March 2024.

About 88 percent of people with the disease in 2024 have been vaccinated, compared to just 31 percent who contracted the disease in previous years.

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The disease usually affects younger children.

But according to the new study, about 84% of people who contracted the virus in 2024 were older children, up from just 10%.

The authors said the new disease caused “significantly milder clinical symptoms” than its predecessor and led to fewer hospitalizations.

There is no evidence to suggest that MT28 is the strain of whooping cough circulating in parts of the UK.

However, the preprint warns that MT28 “potentially poses a high risk of global spread” and calls for urgent action – including global surveillance and further research – to halt the spread of the new spot.

Get skewered

There is no evidence to suggest that the vaccine-resistant variant seen in China is in the UK.

Getting the whooping cough vaccine is still the best way to keep you and your family safe from the virus.

This is because whooping cough can be extremely serious – even fatal – especially for children and babies who have not been vaccinated.

The disease spreads easily and can sometimes cause serious problems, including broken ribs, pneumonia and seizures.

O NHS notes which can also result in hernia, rib pain, middle ear infections and urinary incontinence.

The UKHSA previously warned that a rise in cases in 2024 will occur during a steady decline in whooping cough vaccine uptake in pregnant women and children.

Parents have been urged to check their children are protected, and the UKHSA is reminding mums-to-be to get the vaccine so their babies are protected at birth.

It is offered as part of the six-in-one injection when babies are eight, 12 and 16 weeks old.

The number of two-year-olds who completed the six-in-one vaccination in September 2023 is 92.9 percent, compared to 96.3 percent in March 2014.

Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, said: “Whooping cough can affect people of all ages, but for very young children, it can be particularly serious.

“However, vaccinating pregnant women is highly effective in protecting babies from birth until they can receive their own vaccines.

“Parents can also help protect their children by ensuring they receive their vaccinations on time or by catching up on vaccinations as quickly as possible if they have missed one.

“If you’re not sure, check your child’s red book or contact your family doctor’s office.”

Is your area at risk?

The Reporting of Infectious Diseases (NOIDS) report, which tracks suspected cases of infectious diseases weekly, shows where outbreaks are likely to occur.

It does not specify the ages of people suspected of having the virus, although children often have it worst.

The Southwest saw 125 suspected cases last week, followed closely by the Southeast with 113.

The big smoke appeared as the third most infected area, with 104 infections.

In fourth and fifth place were the East of England with 98 and the East Midlands with 93.

Doctors in Wales reported 84 cases, putting them in sixth place.

Yorkshire and the Humber and the North West followed with 62 and 61 cases respectively, putting them in seventh and eighth place.

The West Midlands and North East were at the bottom of the table, with 44 and 40 cases – making them the areas least affected by the current outbreak.