The Italian Society of Paediatrics on
Thursday sounded the alarm about a whooping.cough epidemic that
is primarily affecting unvaccinated babies and infants.
It said that thus has resulted in three deaths since the
beginning of the year and an 800% increase in hospitalisations
compared to equivalent period in 2023.
The society said there have been 110 whooping-cough hospital
cases since January and more than 15 required intensive care.
The alert comes after the European Centre for Disease Prevention
and Control (ECDC) this month warned that there had been almost
60,000 cases of whooping.cough, or pertussis, in Europe between
the start of 2023 and April 2024, a more than 10-fold increase
compared to 2022 and 2021.
"As we tackle this pertussis epidemic, it's essential to
remember the lives at stake, especially our little ones," said
ECDC Director Andrea Ammon.
"Vaccines against pertussis have proven to be safe and
effective, and every action we take today shapes the health of
tomorrow.
"We have a responsibility, as parents or as public health
professionals, to protect the most vulnerable group from the
deadly impact of this disease".
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