Brandenburg fights against whooping coughs: the highest number of cases since 2013!

Brandenburg fights against whooping coughs: the highest number of cases since 2013!

Brandenburg is under control of an alarming whooping cough epidemic. According to information from the rbb24 , 1,207 cases were registered by November - the highest value since the notification of reporting in 2013. For comparison: in the previous year there were only 293 cases. This worrying development is favored by various factors, including missed refresher vaccinations and increased willingness to test. Expert Leif Erik Sander from the Berlin Charité emphasizes that this year the numbers are far above the usual fluctuations. In the capital, too, the numbers have increased with 819 reported cases up to the 47th calendar week, which reinforces the concerns about a possible further spread.

whooping cough: an underestimated risk

whooping cough is caused by the bacterium bordetella pertussis and is expressed by long -lasting, excruciating coughing fits. These can last for several months and are particularly questionable for toddlers and pregnant women. As the Märkische Allgemeine reports, the seizures can be so serious that they lead to breathing interruptions and other complications that require treatment in the hospital. In recent years, the number of infections has dropped due to the distance rules during pandemic. However, with the loss of these provisions, the number of cases can be observed.

The Ministry of Health of Brandenburg urgently advises vaccination, especially for children and adolescents. The vaccination rate for young people between the ages of 9 and 17 is only 65 percent, which contributes to the current distribution. Since the bacterium is transmitted by droplet infection, particularly close contacts with sick people must be avoided in order to prevent infection. Whether by refreshing vaccinations or early antibiotic treatments, prevention is crucial to offer this stubborn illness.