Health authorities in the UK are warning the public of a worrying rise in whooping cough cases after the number of infections soared by 250% this year.
Between July and November, there were 716 reported cases of whooping cough, a bacterial infection of the lungs, three times as many as during the same period in 2022, according to the British Health Independent. The report cited information from the UKHSA.
According to the report, Dr. Gayatri Amirthalingam, deputy director of the agency’s public health program, said that during the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing and lockdown policies had reduced the number of infections, but now He said the number is increasing again.
Another expert, Professor Beate Kampmann from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said: “The rise in cases is probably due to people not booking vaccinations during the pandemic.” he told The Sun.
How to protect your child from whooping cough
“Serious disease is almost completely preventable if the mother is vaccinated during pregnancy and her protective antibodies cross the placenta and protect the baby until the baby receives its own vaccine.” Kampmann said.
“Therefore, it is important that everyone looks at their immunization records to see if they have forgotten to receive this vaccine during routine childhood immunizations or during pregnancy.”
Whooping cough, also known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory disease that can cause serious illness, especially in infants and children. According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, it is known for its violent, uncontrollable cough that causes difficulty breathing.
In severe cases, severe coughing can cause vomiting, rib pain, and even bone fractures. After coughing repeatedly, an infected person may have to take deep breaths, resulting in the “whispering” sound that gives the disease its name. The disease is also known as 100-day cough, and symptoms can last for weeks or months, according to Britain’s National Health Service (NHS).
CDC Comments on Today’s Pneumonia Outbreak Experts Compare Early Cases of COVID-19
The NHS says whooping cough is easily preventable and a vaccine is available to protect babies and children.
However, pertussis vaccination rates have fallen to their lowest level in seven years, according to UK government data.
The UK’s average vaccination rate in 2022 was 61.5%, down 3.9% from 2021 and 7.6% from 2020, The Sun reported.
The NHS is urging parents and children to make an appointment to see a doctor if they develop symptoms of whooping cough or if their cold has been worsening for more than three weeks.
Pediatric pneumonia epidemic, ‘life-changing’ fatty disease surgery and health predictions for 2024
Treatment of this disease depends on the patient’s age and history of infection. In severe cases, hospitalization may be required for babies under 6 months of age.
The NHS says if pertussis is diagnosed within three weeks of infection, patients will be given antibiotics to fight the disease and prevent it from spreading to others.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
People who have had pertussis for more than three weeks do not need antibiotics because they are no longer contagious.
For more health articles, visit: foxnews.com/health.