(kontumtv.vn) – Recently, many provinces and cities have reported cases and outbreaks of whooping cough after a long period without any cases. This disease is easily transmitted through the respiratory tract and can cause dangerous complications in young children.

Photo caption
Many children contract whooping cough because they are not yet old enough to be vaccinated or have not received all the necessary doses. (Photo: VNA)

The disease is spreading in many localities.

In Hanoi , the number of whooping cough cases has been on the rise in recent weeks. For example, last week Hanoi recorded 20 cases of whooping cough, bringing the total number of cases since the beginning of the year to 193; whereas in the same period of 2023, Hanoi recorded no whooping cough cases. The whooping cough pathogen has been detected sporadically in 29 districts, counties, and towns of the city.

In Quang Ngai province, efforts are being urgently made to prevent and control whooping cough, aiming to prevent its widespread spread after scattered cases were recorded. The whooping cough outbreak is resurfacing, whereas the province had not recorded any cases since 2020. Therefore, upon detecting any cases, the province has aggressively implemented measures to prevent and control the whooping cough epidemic; promptly identifying confirmed and suspected cases for isolation, treatment, and timely containment and management of outbreaks.

In Ho Chi Minh City, dozens of cases of whooping cough have been recorded, with patients being hospitalized at various medical facilities. Of these cases, 90% are children under 5 years old; all children with whooping cough have mothers who have not been vaccinated or whose vaccination history is unknown. Many cases have developed severe complications such as requiring oxygen via nasal cannula, pneumonia, and bronchiolitis.

Explaining the recent increase in pertussis cases in many localities, Associate Professor Dr. Tran Dac Phu, former Director of the Department of Preventive Medicine (Ministry of Health), stated: “The recent increase in pertussis cases is due to a decrease in the vaccination rate against this disease. Recently, there has been a shortage of vaccines, and some people have not been vaccinated. Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, the provision of vaccination services decreased, and most recently, there has also been a shortage of the 5-in-1 vaccine in the Expanded Immunization Program for children, which has caused pertussis to return.”

According to Associate Professor Tran Dac Phu, this is not unusual because the cause is known to be vaccination; in the past, when children were fully vaccinated, this outbreak occurred less frequently.

The Ministry of Health also noted that the pertussis situation in some provinces and cities is becoming increasingly complex. The Ministry of Health has requested provinces and cities to develop plans for measles and pertussis prevention and control in their localities; to prevent cross-infection in healthcare facilities and to intensify vaccination efforts.

Vaccination creates immunity against disease.

According to a representative from the Hanoi Center for Disease Control, whooping cough is particularly dangerous for young children and can cause serious complications if not treated promptly.

The most effective preventive measure is vaccinating children. Currently, there is a vaccine for pertussis (whooping cough) available and it is included in the Expanded Immunization Program. Vaccines containing the pertussis component are administered to children from 2 months of age. Therefore, to protect their children from the disease, parents need to pay attention to the vaccination schedule and ensure their children receive all vaccinations on time.

For infants under 2 months old who are not yet old enough to receive the pertussis vaccine, they can still benefit from passive immunity from maternal antibodies transmitted through the placenta. Therefore, not only young children, but also pregnant mothers need to be vaccinated with a pertussis-containing vaccine during pregnancy to provide immunity for their children in the early days of life.

Along with vaccination, to reduce the risk of whooping cough in children, preventive hygiene measures should also be ensured, such as: Maintaining personal hygiene by washing hands frequently with soap and clean water, especially after coughing or sneezing; teaching children to cover their mouths and noses with tissues or their elbows when coughing or sneezing.

Families should clean their homes regularly, especially surfaces that children frequently come into contact with, such as toys and furniture. Ensure that the living space is well-ventilated, receives sunlight, and has fresh air.

For children, parents need to pay attention to providing them with a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals to strengthen their immune system and prevent illness.

In particular, parents need to observe and monitor their children's symptoms. If the child shows signs of frequent coughing, difficulty breathing, or a high fever, they should be taken to a medical facility for timely examination and treatment.

Vaccination schedule for vaccines containing the pertussis component:
– First dose: Administered when the child is 2 months old.
– Second dose: One month after the first dose.
– Third dose: One month after the second dose.
– Fourth dose: When the child is 18 months old.
For pregnant women, the combined tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (Tdap) vaccine can be administered during pregnancy.
Ta Nguyen/News Report