With scientists issuing warnings for another pandemic due to Disease X, a new disease is spreading in China called Whooping Cough. As per reports, China is witnessing a massive surge in cases related to Whooping Cough. Not only this, the communist country has also registered multiple deaths due to the new respiratory illness. Bloomberg reported that China reported a total of 32,380 cases of Whooping Cough In January and February compared with 1,421 cases during the same period in 2023. Notably, China has not revealed its official data as it is known for curbing information. Now, the question arises what is Whooping Cough and what are its impact on people?
What is Whooping Cough?
Whooping Cough is also known as pertussis and it has increased 20 times in the months of January and February in China. At least 13 people have died in China due to pertussis. For the unversed, vaccinations for pertussis are administered to infants for free in China, and are usually provided with a combined shot that also protects them against diphtheria and tetanus.
The whooping cough is a respiratory infection that causes coughing fits. Whooping cough is caused by a type of bacteria called Bordetella pertussis. The name of the disease comes from the whooping noise one makes when you try to breathe in after coughing.
Talking about Whooping Cough symptoms, it occur in three stages. The first stage starts with an infection lasting for around 1 to 2 weeks with viral-like symptoms such as cough, sneezing, low-grade fever, watery eyes, and redness in the eyes.
Whooping Cough's second stage is called the paroxysmal stage. In this stage, it is characterised by typical whooping cough which comes in episodes as an irritative hacking that lasts for a few minutes.
The third stage is when the severity of the symptoms begins to calm down and the person feels better.
Talking about Whooping Cough's prevention, it can infect all age groups. However, it is most common in babies or infants. Getting vaccinated is the best way to be protected from pertussis.
As per reports, the vaccination of an infant starts just after birth in the second month of life. S3 primary doses are given in the first year of life and three boosters at one and a half years, 5 years, and then 10 years.