Hanoi has its first case of whooping cough in 2023

The National Children's Hospital has just admitted a 6-week-old infant with whooping cough – this is the first case of whooping cough in Hanoi in 2023. Specifically, the first case of whooping cough this year is a 6-week-old girl (residing in Dan Phuong, Hanoi). The girl began to show symptoms on November 10th with coughing, but no fever or vomiting. Upon examination at the National Children's Hospital, she was diagnosed with bronchitis and prescribed medication for home treatment.

After three days of treatment with no signs of improvement, the family took the child to Phuong Dong Hospital for examination, where the child was prescribed medication to continue treatment at home.

However, on November 16th, the child exhibited symptoms of frequent nighttime coughing, poor feeding, coughing spells lasting about 10 minutes, SpO2 dropping to 89% (without oxygen), and episodes of facial cyanosis. The child was immediately taken to the National Children's Hospital in a critical condition, requiring oxygen via mask at 5 liters/minute, with a red throat and swollen nose. A PCR test for pertussis (whooping cough) came back positive.

According to Dr. Nguyen Van Lam, Director of the Center for Tropical Diseases at the National Children's Hospital: "Whooping cough can lead to dangerous complications such as severe pneumonia and encephalitis. It can even lead to mechanical complications such as intussusception, hernia, and rectal prolapse. In severe cases, alveolar rupture, mediastinal emphysema, or pneumothorax may occur. Therefore, early detection and treatment of the disease's signs are crucial."

Hanoi reports the first case of chickenpox in 2023, with a high potential for spread and many dangerous complications (Figure 1). — Hanoi records its first case of whooping cough this year. (Illustrative image)

With whooping cough, the incubation period usually lasts from 6 to 20 days (average about 9 to 10 days), during which time there are usually no symptoms. The main symptom is a severe cough with wheezing. With proper treatment and care, usually starting from the 4th week after the onset of the disease, the symptoms of whooping cough will improve and gradually disappear completely.

The disease is transmitted through the respiratory tract via direct contact with secretions from the nasal and throat mucosa of infected individuals when they cough or sneeze. The disease is highly contagious, especially among children sharing enclosed spaces such as schools. It often progresses severely and can be fatal due to secondary infections, causing complications such as lung disease and bronchitis, particularly in children under 5 years old.

Currently, the best way to prevent whooping cough is vaccination. Children who have not been vaccinated according to the schedule or who have been vaccinated late should be vaccinated as soon as possible afterward for effective prevention of whooping cough. Children should receive a vaccine containing the whooping cough component, such as DPT, to prevent the disease: the first dose at 2 months of age; the second dose at 3 months of age; the third dose at 4 months of age; and the fourth dose when the child is 18-24 months old.

However, the diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus vaccine, which is included in the Expanded Immunization Program in many localities, is now unavailable, including in the two major cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Due to changes in the vaccine procurement mechanism, the Ministry of Health has urgently placed orders with domestic manufacturers to ensure supply in 2023. The Ministry is currently carrying out the necessary procedures to receive the vaccines from the manufacturers as soon as possible.

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