Some countries have seen a sharp increase in whooping cough cases in recent weeks. For the moment, France is avoiding the contagion, but it is keeping a close eye on the situation.
While cases of whooping cough, a respiratory infection that particularly affects infants, have increased in recent weeks in the United Kingdom and the United States, France is paying close attention to the subject, explained Sylvain Brice, director of the National Research Center. (CNR) ). “We’re looking at this like milk on fire.”He said no on the microphone BFMTV.
According to the United Kingdom’s Health Protection Agency, 1,141 cases were detected across the Channel between January and November 2023, compared with 450 in the same period in 2022 and 454 in 2021. In the United States, the Florida Department of Health has observed 86 cases. In its 24 counties, representing a “85% increase between July 2023 and December 2023 compared to July 2022 and December 2022”. A similar observation was made in a county in New York State.
Vaccination is the best solution
In France, we want to take a moment to comfort those facing this disease. “There are currently no whooping cough warnings”, said Brigitte Vire, president of the National Union of French Pediatricians. Public Health France calculated 35 hospitalizations in 2020 and 4 hospitalizations of infants under 12 months in 2021.
“Covid has disrupted everything in recent years and given the low levels, we should expect this to rise again”, warned Sylvain Brice. According to experts, the best defense against the occurrence of whooping cough is vaccination. As of 2018, it is mandatory for infants and many boosters are recommended. Between March 2016 and December 2019, 4 infants aged 7 to 20 days died, according to Rennacock network hospital centres.
Published on January 22 at 7:00 pm, Lillian Moy, 6 Media
