2024-01-31 12:33:17
Published31. January 2024, 1:33 p.m.
Serbia: Four children die of whooping cough in Belgrade
When the disease had almost disappeared, an outbreak of cases occurred in Serbia’s capital. Doctors are calling for increased vaccination.
Last year, more than 900 people were infected with whooping cough in Serbia.
AFP
Four children died of whooping cough in Belgrade, where doctors are calling for increased vaccination to prevent the spread of a disease that was almost eradicated, Serbian national channel RTS reported on Wednesday. In addition to these deaths, “one child is on artificial respiration,” said Doctor Vladislav Vukomanovic, deputy director of the Belgrade Children’s Hospital.
More than thirty children had to be hospitalized in his establishment, he added, worrying about an “exponential increase in the number of children presenting a severe form of this disease”, due according to him to the lack of vaccination, including among the elderly.
“There is an exponential increase in the number of children with a severe form of whooping cough, due to lack of vaccination.”
Vladislav Vukomanovic, deputy director of the Belgrade Children’s Hospital
Whooping cough, a respiratory disease caused by bacteria, is transmitted very easily through the air. It causes frequent and prolonged coughing fits, and can be serious when it occurs in infants and fragile people.
Very strong epidemic in Croatia in 2023
In 2023, 909 people were infected in Serbia, according to the Institute of Public Health. Last year, neighboring Croatia was hit by a very strong epidemic, with more than 1,000 cases compared to a few dozen usually, with experts pointing the finger at anti-vaccine activists and lower immunity linked to confinements.
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