2024-03-17 00:34:14
At least four babies have died of whooping cough in the Netherlands since February. The numbers are also increasing in the rest of Europe. One reason seems plausible.
Four babies have died of whooping cough in the Netherlands since the beginning of February. The Dutch health institute RIVM reported this on Friday. According to the authority, the number of infants suffering from whooping cough has been increasing across the country for weeks. 200 to 300 reports of infected children are received every week.
Before the wave swept the entire country, infections were concentrated in the so-called “Bible Belt,” where many devout followers of the Reformed churches live. “Approximately 85 percent of infants were not adequately protected against whooping cough because the child and/or mother were not vaccinated.”
What is whooping cough?
Whooping cough – technically known as pertussis – is highly contagious bacterial infection of the respiratory tract, which is typically manifested by violent coughing fits. It is estimated that this occurs worldwide 20 to 40 per year millions cases of which around 300,000 end fatally. Children are particularly affected.
More cases in Germany too
The number of whooping cough infections is also increasing in this country. According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), more than 2,300 people in Germany fell ill last year.
However, these are mostly young people and adults who have probably missed their booster vaccination. However, the RKI observes “high vaccination rates” for infants and small children.
Whooping cough vaccination: one in a lifetime is not enough
Whooping cough (technical term: pertussis) is highly contagious. Its pathogen, a bacterium, spreads through coughing, sneezing or when speaking. Anyone who is unprotected and has close contact with an infected person (e.g. in the family) is almost 100 percent certain to become infected.
To best protect yourself against whooping cough, a vaccination is not enough. The Standing Vaccination Commission (STIKO) recommends that all people receive a basic immunization against whooping cough (with three to four vaccinations) and three booster vaccinations, two of which in childhood and one in adulthood.
STIKO advises: Catch up on missed vaccinations
If you have not received all the necessary vaccinations against whooping cough or are not sure whether you have received them, STIKO strongly recommends that you do so. Children under 10 should receive three vaccinations. For adults, one dose is usually enough, as most have already had contact with the whooping cough pathogen and have therefore developed immune protection.
The vaccine used for whooping cough vaccination is an inactivated vaccine. These no longer receive living and reproducible pathogens. Pregnant women can and should also get vaccinated; This means that the newborn already has effective immune protection in the first weeks of life. You can read more about whooping cough vaccination during pregnancy here.