Since January 2023, the number of whooping cough cases in Europe has increased tenfold.

numbers cases of whooping cough reported shot in the last 15 months in Europe. The pandemic put an end to infections, as was seen with other pathogens, but bacteria Bordetella pertussis gained strength and is responsible for more than 25,000 cases in 2023 And more than 32,000 from January to March 2024According to the latest report from the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).

Compared to previous years, 2021 and 2022, considered pandemic and post-pandemic years, have seen ten times more infections. However, similar figures were observed in 2016, 41,026And 2019, 34,468. “This cycle was interrupted by Covid,” explains Francisco Alvarez, coordinator of the Vaccine Advisory Committee of the Spanish Association of Pediatrics (AEP).

Spain is among the countries with the most cases among infants in 2023 And 2024 rebound in the 10-14 age group.. “This is a striking peak that reminds us that we must be vigilant, but also that we are getting better and better at tracking circulating cases,” warns Diego García Martínez de Artola, spokesman for the Spanish Society of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology .Seimts).

In this sense, in a statement, EU Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Stella Kyriakides states that “the increase in the number of whooping cough cases across Europe shows the need for vigilance. This is a serious disease, especially in infants.” “

The only way to stop and support bacteria in fear This is vaccination. But significant outbreaks occur every three to five years, even with high vaccination coverage. “This is due to the fall protection from vaccines, loss of immunity over time,” Garcia explains. That’s why he insists that coverage above 95%“so the infections that arise may simply be a long-term cold.”

In our country, the vaccination rate is about 85%. “This is a good number between mothers who have already been vaccinated during pregnancy to protect their unborn children and children who are vaccinated on schedule,” says the pediatrician.

Where are the biggest whooping cough outbreaks?

Immunization accounting helps avoid the high impact that the ECDC describes in its latest report that in 2023-2024 in 17 European countries (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Estonia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania), Malta , Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovakia), Infants represent the group with the highest reported incidence. and where the majority of deaths were recorded.

Among these 17 countries, the age groups with the second and third highest incidence varied significantly across age groups: 1 to 4 years, 5 to 9 years, 10 to 14 years, and adolescents (15 to 19 years).

In three countries The highest rate is in children aged 10 to 14 yearsfollowed by teenagers from 15 to 19 years old (Croatia, Denmark, Luxembourg), and in two countries the highest incidence was observed among adolescents aged 15 to 19 years, followed by children aged 10 to 14 years (Czech Republic, Slovenia).

ECDC emphasizes Peak incidence of infants in Spain in 2023. At the turn of the year, at the beginning of 2024, the most affected group were children aged 10 to 4 years. In Norway, the highest incidence rate in 2023 was among adolescents aged 15 to 19 years, and this year the incidence was highest among children aged 10 to 14 years.

For deaths, between 2011 and 2022Total 103, of which 69 (67%) were in infants and 25 (24%) in adults aged 60 years or older. Between For January 2023 and April 2024 there were 19, 11 (58%) in infants and eight (42%) in adults over 60 years of age. The number of deaths by age group varied between 2011 and 2024.

ECDC analysts are asking this question surveillance data They have to interpret with caution because not all surveillance systems work. “Today we are collecting more cases also because we are tracking them better,” Garcia emphasizes. Covid has updated the availability of laboratory methods, testing methods and vaccination schedules in different ways. “That’s why We believe there are several factors behind these rebounds.“, said the representative of the Seimas.

Against whooping cough bacteria antibiotics are used “which have now proven to be effective,” Garcia explains. At the same time, he also points out that “we haven’t seen new strains or greater resistance bacteria to current treatments, so this is good news.

Recommendations for reducing whooping cough outbreaks and their consequences

Both ECDC and AEP note the need to maintain high vaccination coverage and adherence to the vaccination schedule. The vaccines, which have been used in Spain since 2007 to prevent whooping cough, are usually given in four doses between the ages of two months and 6 years.

Alvarez recalls that the vaccine is “immunogenic and effective.”but its protection declines markedly over a period of 5 to 10 years and has no effect on nasopharyngeal colonization.” To avoid this loss of protection, “pediatricians recommend administering the above-mentioned additional dose during pre-adolescence, about 11 or 12 years old“. This reinforcement was also requested by the Sejm. “This amplifier This would be very beneficial for these age groups,” Garcia adds.

The group in which “we saw it moves a lot bacteria. Those school age at which transmission becomes more efficient“, he points out. A Seimc spokesman explains that in these groups we see “long-term colds.” When the infection comes and is detected, “we have to isolate them so that they stop transmitting the infection,” which usually happens “after five days of starting treatment antibiotics or three weeks after the cough starts,” Garcia says.

Andrea Ammon, director of ECDC, states in a statement that: “ Whooping cough vaccines have been shown to be safe and effective, and every action we take today shapes the health of tomorrow. “We, as parents or as public health professionals, have a responsibility to protect the most vulnerable population from the deadly impact of this disease.”