An increase in the number of whooping cough cases has been observed in recent months in Europe, including our country, alarming the health authorities.

In Denmark, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Montenegro, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Serbia, the largest increase in cases is observed.

The increase in reported cases of pertussis is probably linked to the untimely immunization of certain age groups as well as the lower circulation of the pathogen during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the data available from ECDCthe age groups most affected are children, young adolescents, and infants who have not been vaccinated or have not completed their vaccination.

In GREECE from the beginning of the year 2024 until 30.05.2024, 230 cases of whooping cough have been reported to EODY, while in the year 2023, 9 cases were reported.

It is worth noting that 133/230 (57.8%) concern children and adolescents <18 years old while 58/230 (25.2%) concern infants <12 months old.

Finally, 34/230 (14.8%) concern infants aged <2 months, 2 of which ended up and at least three required hospitalization in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Pertussis is an endemic disease with outbreaks occurring every three to five years, even in areas with high vaccination coverage. Infants are at greatest risk of serious illness and death, and almost all deaths in European countries have occurred in infants under three months of age.

Protecting infants from serious illness and death from whooping cough is one of the main goals of vaccination programs. Timely vaccination, from the 2nd month of life and the completion of the vaccination with all the required doses of vaccines for children and adults according to the National Immunization Program (NIP) is a basic measure to prevent whooping cough.

It is emphasized that the only preventive measure for young infants < 3 months who show the greatest morbidity and mortality is the vaccination of pregnant women between the 27th - 36th week of pregnancy according to the EPE.

The National Public Health Organization (EODY) and the National Immunization Committee (NEC) recommend:

  • The vigilance of health professionals (especially paediatricians, neonatologists, obstetricians-gynecologists, general practitioners, pathologists, pulmonologists) for increased clinical suspicion (especially in adults with persistent paroxysmal cough, even without other symptoms) with the aim of early initiation of appropriate treatment with macrolides. It is noted that delayed administration of antibiotics is ineffective in treating the disease.
  • The administration of antimicrobial treatment to all persons who came into contact with a confirmed case of whooping cough, regardless of previous illness or vaccination.
  • Vaccination of all infants and children according to the National Immunization Program
  • The immediate vaccination of all pregnant women between the 27th and 36th week of pregnancy with the TdaP vaccine, as is also recommended by the relevant scientific societies: Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Greece and Hellenic Society of Perinatal Medicine
  • Vaccination of unvaccinated children before leaving the maternity ward
  • Timely vaccination of all family members who are not fully vaccinated against pertussis and come into contact with newborns and infants, at least two weeks before contact.