Whooping cough is a highly contagious disease.
Another baby has died from a whooping cough infection, bringing the total number of child deaths in England since the start of the outbreak to 10, officials at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said.
This death coincides with recent UKHSA data showing that laboratory confirmed cases of whooping cough in England have surpassed 10,000 this year. Although most cases occur in people aged 15 and over, more than 300 have occurred in babies under three months old – the group most at risk of contracting the infection.
The outbreak is believed to have started in England last November and 10 child deaths have been confirmed. The first death was reported in December 2023, and the rest occurred between January and June 2024.
According to a Bloomberg Report, Whooping cough is making a comeback in many parts of the world, with deaths reported in China, the Philippines, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands, and outbreaks in countries such as the US and the UK.
What is whooping cough?
The highly contagious disease is caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis, which targets the upper respiratory system, releasing toxins that can cause swelling in the airways, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
What are the symptoms?
The early symptoms of whooping cough are very similar to those of the common cold – with a stuffy nose, low-grade fever, and mild cough often reported. This makes diagnosis difficult until more serious symptoms appear.
After a week or two, symptoms may progress to “rapid, violent, uncontrolled coughing fits,” according to the CDC, accompanied by a high-pitched “whooping” sound upon inhalation at the end of the attack. Coughing attacks can last up to 10 weeks.
Who is most at risk?
Children are most likely to experience the most violent symptoms of whooping cough, while babies usually do not cough but may stop breathing. Teenagers and adults typically experience milder symptoms, but even so, debilitating coughing fits can keep them awake at night. A complicating factor is that adults without obvious signs of the disease can continue to spread the infection.
How do you treat this?
Once diagnosed, preferably before the cough starts, doctors usually treat the infection with antibiotics. If a patient has been coughing for more than three weeks, antibiotics are not needed as the bacteria have likely left the body and the cough is a result of damage to the airways.
Is there a vaccine against pertussis?
In China, free vaccines are generally given in a combined dose that also protects children against diphtheria and tetanus. In the US there are two vaccines available – one for children under seven and one for people over seven. In the UK, vaccines are routinely given to babies, while the Philippines has warned of a potential supply shortage until May.
This story originally appeared on Ndtv.com read the full story
