Whooping cough is a growing concern in Europe, including the Czech Republic. This past week has been marked by confusion surrounding official guidance and a controversial public appearance by Prague’s mayor, raising questions about whether any lessons were learned from the Covid-19 pandemic.
According to Czech authorities, there were only 28 registered cases of whooping cough in the first week of January. However, that number has now soared to 3,084, a figure not seen since 1963. Even Prague’s mayor, Bohuslav Svoboda, an MP and gynaecologist, fell victim to the illness.
During a parliamentary health committee meeting, a frustrated Dr. Svoboda questioned why he had to be present, considering he was on day six of an antibiotic course for whooping cough and no longer infectious. While most colleagues found it amusing, one remarked that he should have worn a face mask.
The confusion surrounding official guidance has caused further concerns. The Green Party branch in Prague filed criminal charges against the mayor for “spreading a contagious disease” as he violated public health regulations by attending the meeting while still under antibiotic treatment.
In an attempt to control the spread of whooping cough, the Prague public health authority sent a letter to schools instructing them to send unvaccinated children home if a confirmed case was detected in their class. However, the head of the national public health authority immediately refuted this measure, stating that each case should be individually assessed based on factors such as classroom exposure.
Epidemiologists, including those involved in the government’s Covid-19 response, expressed disbelief at the contradicting guidance. Recent amendments to the health ministry guidelines align with the Prague authority’s approach. The confusion also raises the question of who these unvaccinated children are, as vaccination for whooping cough is mandatory in the country.
Official figures indicate that immunization for whooping cough is estimated at 97% among infants, suggesting the existence of thousands of unvaccinated babies in the Czech Republic. Health Minister Vlastimil Válek explained that the rise in cases can be attributed to a combination of a resurgence in respiratory diseases and incomplete immunization in children.
The whooping cough vaccine is administered in five stages, with the first three doses given in the first 12 months of life. However, only 90% of children end up receiving the final two doses around the ages of six and ten. Consequently, the greatest rise in whooping cough cases is observed among Czech teenagers.
Parents are urged to check their children’s vaccination history, and adults are encouraged to receive booster shots. Mandatory vaccination was introduced in Czechoslovakia in 1958, significantly reducing the number of deaths caused by whooping cough. Nonetheless, the recent increase in cases still poses risks, as infected teenagers can transmit the disease to vulnerable individuals, such as younger siblings and elderly grandparents.
In conclusion, the rise of whooping cough in the Czech Republic highlights the consequences of incomplete immunization and the challenges in implementing consistent public health measures. It serves as a reminder that diseases once under control can resurface if preventive measures are neglected. Strengthening vaccination campaigns and promoting awareness about the importance of timely immunization are vital to prevent future outbreaks and protect vulnerable populations.
[Image Source: Getty Images]
[Article: BBC News, Prague]