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Other outbreaks appear to be incidental rather than connected. In China, the exclusive administration of ‘acellular vaccinations’ (ACVs) as part of the national immunization program marked the beginning of the sudden uptick in cases. Levels in the Middle Kingdom soared to rates not seen since the 1980s.
Identifying Whooping Cough Symptoms
After exposure to the bacteria Bordetella pertussis, an incubation period of 7 to 14 days occurs (range 6 to 20 days). Following this, the child will enter the catarrhal stage. Symptoms include:
- Runny nose
- Low-grade fever
- Mild, occasional cough
- Nasal congestion
- Sneezing
- General malaise
This stage lasts 1-2 weeks before entering the paroxysmal stage. Here, the characteristic whooping cough begins. Look for:
- Fits of rapid coughing followed by a high-pitched “whoop” sound during the intake of breath
- Vomiting after coughing
- Exhaustion after coughing fits
- The face may turn red or purple during coughing spells
Only around 50% of children and adults “whoop” during this stage. It can last anywhere from 2 to 8 weeks – or even longer. Gradually, the child transitions to the convalescent stage. Symptoms include:
- Gradual recovery
- Coughing fits become less frequent and less severe
- Cough can last for weeks or even months, commonly known as the “100-day cough”
This final stage persists for a further 1 to 4 weeks. The symptoms begin to decrease, and the child will feel better. In the US, pertussis is fatal in an estimated 0.5% of cases in under 1s. Other complications include pneumonia, seizures, encephalopathy, and apneas.
Importance of Vaccination
The alarming resurgence of whooping cough globally underscores the critical importance of vaccination. Vaccination skepticism has grown significantly in recent years, fueled, in part, by the COVID-19 pandemic. Prominent public figures have expressed doubts about the COVID-19 vaccine, with some even expressing concerns about vaccine efficacy in general.
Less appreciated is the prevalence of vaccine skepticism in Europe. In France, for example, one in three people believe vaccines are unsafe. Similar numbers are seen in Italy, Poland, Hungary, and across the continent.
Erroneous claims linking vaccines to autism or myocarditis (COVID infection carries a greater risk of myocarditis than the vaccine) have spread this doubt. Now, children are reaping the consequences.
Maintaining high vaccination coverage within communities is the best tactic for eliminating and controlling infectious diseases. Addressing vaccine hesitancy and misinformation, ensuring vaccine accessibility, and reinforcing public health campaigns are critical steps towards mitigating the current outbreak of pertussis.
If we neglect vaccinations, the diseases we thought were behind us will inevitably resurface. It’s just a matter of time.
Written by: Emmanuel J. Osemota
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