Earlier this month, the RIVM warned of an increase in whooping cough, when it was 250 cases per week. The counter currently stands at 1,400 reports of whooping cough this year. “The increase in the number of babies with whooping cough is visible across the country,” let the RIVM know.
Four babies have already died
On average, two babies die every year from whooping cough, and four babies have already died this year. It is unclear whether these children had been vaccinated or not, a spokesperson for the RIVM told RTL News.
Whooping cough is a disease caused by a bacterium that is characterized by severe coughing symptoms that can sometimes last for months. The disease can be especially dangerous for babies under 1 year old, because they have not yet been sufficiently vaccinated.
In exceptional cases, whooping cough can be fatal for babies. This is rare, but infants with whooping cough usually need to be admitted to hospital.
‘Are you coughing? Don’t go on a maternity visit
The Dutch Association for Pediatrics (NVK) is also concerned, chairman Lissy de Ridder told RTL News. “We see many more admissions than we are used to, throughout the country. We therefore greatly share those concerns.” She now calls on adults who are coughing not to go on maternity visits. “And get vaccinated, including pregnant women.”
The RIVM previously stated that the corona pandemic is a possible cause for the current rapid spread of whooping cough. At a time when people had less contact with each other, whooping cough was also transmitted less quickly and there were hardly any cases, which also reduced immunity.
2024-03-15 12:00:39
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