March 6, 2024 Alarming increase in whooping cough incidence in the Czech Republic

AdminMarch 6, 2024

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March 6, 2024

Czech Republic there is an alarming increase in cases choking coughwith 449 new cases reported over the past week, raising the total to 1666 year to date. This figure exceeds the annual figures of the last four years, setting a record for the last two decades, with the exception of 2014. Vaccination against whooping cough is mandatory for infants, given its high risk for infants.

This increase was observed mainly in the 15 to 19 age group, although the disease has affected people of all ages, from infants to 96-year-old seniors. The region with the highest number of reported cases includes Southern Bohemia, Central Bohemia and Vysočina, while the Pilsen and Karlovy Vary regions have the lowest rates. This surge in incidence underscores the importance of vaccination as a fundamental preventive measure.

Vaccination against whooping cough began in Czechoslovakia in 1958, and no deaths from this disease were reported in the Czech Republic between 1984 and 2004. However, five deaths have been reported since 2004, highlighting the risks associated with not being vaccinated. Experts emphasize that the vaccine’s effectiveness declines over time, recommending booster shots in childhood and considering additional doses in adulthood.