Understanding Whooping Cough and Its Impact
Whooping cough, medically known as pertussis, is caused by the bacterium Bordetella Pertussis. This highly contagious disease has seen a significant increase in Mexico, with 809 confirmed cases so far this year. This starkly contrasts with the mere 60 cases reported at this time last year, including fatalities. To understand this situation better and learn how to protect ourselves, we consulted Dr. Martha Avilés, a pediatric infectious disease specialist.
Who is Vulnerable to Whooping Cough?
Dr. Avilés explains that vulnerable individuals are those who have never received the pertussis vaccine (tosferina), are unvaccinated, have an incomplete vaccination schedule, or have lost immunity over time. She emphasizes the importance of regular vaccinations since pertussis immunity wanes over time, unlike other vaccines.
Low Vaccination Coverage
The recent surge in whooping cough cases likely stems from low vaccination coverage in previous years, as warned by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). Dr. Avilés states that to effectively stop transmission, at least 95% of the population must be vaccinated. Currently, the Mexican Center for Child and Adolescent Health (CENSIA) reports only 83% coverage for the hexavalent vaccine, which includes pertussis. This low coverage contributes to the rising cases.
Protecting Children
Whooping cough manifests with a severe, dry cough, often described as “whoop” due to the person’s intake of breath between coughs. Initially, it resembles a common cold with runny nose and congestion but worsens after the second week, causing coughing fits with up to 20 consecutive coughs and a final intake of breath with difficulty breathing. This can lead to respiratory distress and hospitalization.
Infants are particularly vulnerable, with 38 reported deaths from whooping cough this year alone. Parents should seek medical attention if a child’s cough lasts for a week without improvement, especially if their vaccination schedule is incomplete.
Prenatal Protection
Dr. Avilés highlights that protection against whooping cough can begin even before birth. Pregnant women from the 20th week onward should receive the pertussis vaccine, allowing antibodies to pass through the placenta and provide initial protection for newborns.
Promoting Vaccination
Dr. Carlos O´Quinn, medical director associated with MSD’s vaccine area, stresses the importance of ongoing vaccination efforts to eliminate eleven diseases by 2030. He emphasizes that individual decisions significantly impact public health, especially in controlling large-scale disease outbreaks. He also highlights the need to target vulnerable populations and adhere to the Mexican vaccination schedule, which now includes HPV vaccination for children starting at age four.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is whooping cough? Whooping cough, or pertussis, is a highly contagious bacterial disease caused by Bordetella Pertussis.
- Who is at risk? Those who are unvaccinated, have incomplete vaccination schedules, or have lost immunity over time are at higher risk.
- Why is vaccination crucial? Regular vaccinations are essential since pertussis immunity wanes over time.
- What is the current vaccination coverage in Mexico? The hexavalent vaccine coverage, which includes pertussis, is at 83%.
- How can pregnant women protect their newborns? Pregnant women should receive the pertussis vaccine from the 20th week to transfer antibodies to the fetus.
- What should parents do if their child has a persistent cough? Seek medical attention immediately, especially for infants or those with incomplete vaccination schedules.
- What is the current vaccination strategy in Mexico? The Mexican vaccination schedule now includes HPV vaccination for children aged four and above.
