- 440 cases of whooping cough in Hesse
In the state of Hesse, the number of whooping cough cases, which had significantly decreased during the COVID years due to infection control measures, is now rising again. So far this year, 440 cases have been reported statewide, compared to 150 cases in the entire previous year.
"In the pandemic years from 2020 to 2023, fewer cases were reported each year compared to the current 2024 year-to-date figure," the ministry explained. Before the pandemic, whooping cough was more commonly reported. In 2016 and 2017, there were 972 and 934 cases respectively, and in 2018, there were 753 cases, and 607 cases in 2019. "There is no uniform trend," it said.
The ministry recommends vaccination
Measures to protect the population are at the discretion of the health authorities, the ministry said. "The ministry continues to recommend vaccination against whooping cough in accordance with the vaccination recommendation of the Standing Committee on Vaccination at the Robert Koch Institute."
Nationwide, more people have been infected with whooping cough this year than in the same period last year. By the end of July, 11,926 cases had been reported to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI). In 2023, there were only 2,010 cases in the same period. The numbers have also increased significantly across Europe.
Cough and cold symptoms
Whooping cough (Pertussis) is a highly contagious disease caused by bacteria and spread through droplet infection, according to the RKI. In unvaccinated individuals, it progresses in three stages: In the first one to two weeks, symptoms similar to a cold, such as a runny nose and mild cough, may occur, with or without fever.
In the second stage, which lasts four to six weeks, there are typical spasmodic coughing fits that can cause choking and, especially in infants, vomiting. Fever is rare in this phase. In the third stage, the disease gradually subsides, but the cough may persist for months.
In adolescents and adults, as well as in most vaccinated children, the disease may manifest only as a persistent cough. However, the disease is particularly dangerous for infants, in whom it can be fatal. Common complications include lung infections, which can also occur in people with underlying conditions and the elderly.
Despite the decrease in whooping cough cases during the pandemic due to infection control measures, other respiratory diseases, such as common colds, saw an increase in reported cases. The ministry strongly advises adhering to the vaccination recommendation against whooping cough, as it remains a serious threat, especially for infants.
