There were 1,266 cases of whooping cough in the week, less than in the previous week

Commercial presentation Update: 05/06/2024 16:52
Issued by: 05/06/2024, 12:46 p.m

Prague – According to the State Health Institute (SZÚ), doctors registered 1,266 new cases of whooping cough last week, which is about a fifth less than in the previous week. From the beginning of this year to Sunday, May 5, there were 12,239 cases, last year there were 494 cases for the whole year. The disease does not have a serious course in the majority of those infected, 2.1 percent of patients require hospitalization. SZÚ informed about this in a press release today. According to the Ministry of Health, almost 67,000 adults have been vaccinated against whooping cough since the beginning of the year. Last year it was 24,000 for the whole year. Spokesman Ondřej Jakob stated this when asked by ČTK.

“Due to the low number of people hospitalized with pertussis, it can be assumed that the disease does not have a serious course in most people. This also corresponds to the conclusions of many studies that in a well-vaccinated population, the disease usually develops with a mild course,” SZÚ spokeswoman Štěpánka Čechová said in a press release.

The low need for hospitalization is related to the age structure of the infected, roughly a third of them are between the ages of 15 and 19. “The median age is 20 years and is still decreasing,” the SZÚ further states. 161 children under the age of one, who cannot yet have their vaccinations completed, also became infected. 76 of them were treated in the hospital this year, i.e. almost half. “Due to the possible serious complications of the disease and their rapid onset, the treatment of pertussis in the smallest children should always take place under supervision in a specialized medical facility,” wrote the SZÚ.

Whooping cough, or pertussis, is most often manifested by typical bouts of whooping, hoarse cough that can last for several weeks. Often the disease is associated with vomiting, weight loss or general exhaustion. Violent coughing can even cause rib fractures, the formation of a hernia or urination.

Infections with related bacteria also appear. “Similar symptoms to those of pertussis, but usually milder, can also be caused by other types of bordetella bacteria,” said the SZÚ spokeswoman. The most common is Bordetella parapertussis, which the SZÚ records in 181 cases this year, Bordetella holmessi also occurs – in 12 cases, and Bordetella bronchiseptica – in one case. “Vaccines do not protect against these three types of bordetell. The treatment is the same as for whooping cough,” Čechová added.

Children are required to be vaccinated against whooping cough, without it they cannot, for example, be admitted to kindergarten. Interest in adult vaccination is currently many times higher than in previous years, even though vaccination is not covered by public health insurance. Due to the great interest in other countries, there was a temporary shortage of vaccines, currently doctors can order them.

Number of cases of whooping cough in 2024 by week:

source: SZÚ

CR health pertussis vaccination TABLE