Outbreak of Pertussis in Europe: Over 42,000 Children Affected. A devastating outbreak of pertussis, also known as whooping cough, has occurred in the most developed region of the world, Europe, affecting more than 42,000 children in just the year 2023.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there has been an alarming increase in pertussis cases in Europe from 2022 to 2023, with over 42,000 reported cases across the 42 member countries of the European Union (EU).
The WHO warns that many cases of pertussis are still being reported in EU countries, and the health of thousands of children is at risk.
The organization has cautioned that if immediate measures to control pertussis are not taken by the European Union, the situation could worsen, and the outbreak may spread to other regions.
As of now, there are still 180,000 children in Europe deprived of pertussis vaccination, while in the UK alone, 340,000 individuals under the age of 16 have not yet received the pertussis vaccine.
According to the WHO, the vaccination process against pertussis has slowed down across Europe due to the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving thousands of children without protection from pertussis and other preventable diseases.
It is worth noting that pertussis is a disease caused by infection or a virus and usually occurs at the end of the winter or the beginning of the spring season. The disease spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes, releasing tiny, contaminated droplets into the air. Pertussis is highly contagious, and an affected person can transmit it to multiple individuals.
Symptoms of pertussis include severe coughing with whooping sounds, a runny nose, and watery eyes. The disease is characterized by red spots on the face and neck, which then spread to other parts of the body.