Whooping cough cases have soared in Poland and Germany, with fears the disease will only spread further this autumn and winter.
In Poland, there has been a 28-fold increase in cases this year. From Jan. 1 to Sept. 30, 2024, 16,828 cases of whooping cough, also known as pertussis, were recorded in Poland. In the same period last year, 593 people had the disease, according to data from the Chief Sanitary Inspectorate provided to Polish news outlet Rzeczpospolita.
Most of that rise has come in the last two months with the majority, over 10,000, occurring between August and September. In the age group 0-4 years, 2,374 cases of whooping cough were recorded, among children between 5 and 9 years of age, 2,405; among children between 10 and 14 years of age there were 4,039; and among people between 15 and 19 years of age there were 1,346 cases.
At the same time, in the indicated period, 2,180 people were hospitalized due to whooping cough, and in June, a newborn with whooping cough was reported dead, according to GIS.
Meanwhile, in Germany, the most cases were reported since mandatory reporting in 2013. According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), there were 19,902 cases counted this year, but the fall has only just begun and winter still looms. Last year, there were 3,432 cases during the whole year, representing a six-fold increase, with that number expected to rise.
In terms of vaccination, whooping cough is considered one of the least effective vaccinations, but German authorities still blame a lack of boosters for the disease’s rise in adolescents. However, no exact figures were given in terms of the vaccination status of those falling ill with the disease. A CDC report from 2019 indicates the bacteria which causes the disease may be mutating to the point that vaccines are less effective.
The disease is characterized by cold-like symptoms in the first two weeks, such as fever and a slight cough. However, in the six following weeks, coughing fits (staccato cough) develops, following by the typical wheeze or whoop., which can lead sufferers struggling for air. The coughing attacks can become so intense that they produce vomiting. Babies are especially under threat from the disease, which can be fatal.
