Europe is facing an epidemic of whooping cough, warns the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control

European countries reported a sharp increase in the number of whooping cough cases in 2023 and the first quarter of 2024, with 10 times more cases identified than in each of the previous two years, Reuters reports.

In total, almost 60,000 cases were reported by the countries of the European Union and the European Economic Area during this period, the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control announced on Wednesday, with 11 deaths in infants and eight among older adults.

Whooping cough, or pertussis, is a bacterial infection of the lungs and airways and is endemic in Europe. It can be very dangerous for babies or the elderly.

Larger epidemics of whooping cough are expected every 3-5 years, even in countries with high vaccination rates, ECDC notes, but a slight decline in immunization during the COVID-19 pandemic may have been a factor of growth.

The circulation of whooping cough was, moreover, very low during the pandemic and related circulation restrictions, which makes the increase appear larger.

However, the numbers are still historically high. In the first three months of 2024, there have already been as many cases as the average for an entire year between 2012 and 2019.

The European agency noted that a large part of the population missed the natural increase in immunity to whooping cough because they were not exposed to it during the pandemic.

“It is essential to remember the lives at stake, especially those of our little ones. Whooping cough vaccines have been shown to be safe and effective,” said ECDC Director Andrea Ammon.

Most European countries routinely immunize children against whooping cough, and many also vaccinate pregnant women to protect their babies.

The ECDC stated that some countries may consider giving boosters to older children and adults as immunity may wane.

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