More and more cases of whooping cough, an avalanche of refusals to vaccinate children. Alarming data

In Poland, there is a huge increase in whooping cough cases – an infectious disease that is particularly dangerous for children and the elderly. In just 1.5 months, over 8,500 people fell ill throughout the country.

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As Anita Orzeł-Nowak, head of the epidemiology supervision department of the Małopolska Sanitary and Epidemiological Station, told TVN24, 1,876 cases of whooping cough were recorded in this region from the beginning of the year to September 15. In the same period in 2023, there were only 42 cases.

– In the case of whooping cough, we are dealing with cyclical increases in cases every three to five years. In 2016, we recorded an increase in cases. Then there was a pandemic, there was no epidemiologically predicted increase, because the protective measures we used to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infections also reduced the incidence of other diseases transmitted by the same route – explained Orzeł-Nowak.

In 2016, almost seven thousand cases of whooping cough were recorded in Poland, so it is already known that the number of cases will be higher this year.

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– On the one hand, the lack of disease during the pandemic certainly contributed to the fact that we now have a compensatory epidemic, but the number of people who do not vaccinate their children is also increasing. These numbers are terrible. In 2016, we had 1,006 such people reported to the sanitary inspection, and today (…) we have 8.5 thousand of them – said a representative of the Małopolska Sanitary and Epidemiological Station.

Data from the National Institute of Public Health PZH – National Research Institute show that from the beginning of the year to mid-September, 14.5 thousand cases were registered in Poland. In 2023, it was 559 cases. However, doctors estimate that the data on whooping cough is underestimated because the symptoms are easily confused with other diseases and no tests are performed.

Whooping cough, formerly called whooping cough, is an acute infectious disease of the respiratory tract caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. Infection occurs through droplets.

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In the first weeks, the symptoms of whooping cough do not differ from other upper respiratory infections. There is a dry cough, runny nose, low-grade fever, and pharyngitis.

This is followed by typical and prolonged bouts of troublesome, long-lasting cough, which often ends with loud inhalation, vomiting or apnea. A cough of varying severity may persist for many weeks.

In Poland, vaccination against pertussis is mandatory for children. Adults, just like children, should also be vaccinated regularly, and the vaccine should be repeated every ten years.