Coconut: Explosive increase in March, nearly 90% in children – He ended up 65 years old

Agony prevails in the National Public Health Organization (EOMI) for its pan-European uplifting that “touches” our country. In addition to the newborn who ended up with pertussis in February 2024, the competent health authorities have recorded another fatal incident. It is an adult – this time – over 65 years old, who was immune. It is obvious, as experts say, that “extreme” ages are more at risk than percussion. In Greece, there is also a significant increase in cases of pertussis, the disease that occurs with strong, persistent and disturbing cough. According to the same information, since the beginning of 2024 and within almost 3 months 54 new incidents have been recorded, while in 2023 we had only 9 all year and previous years, none. The increase is rapid from month to month and particularly between children and adolescents, up to 18 years old. 60% increase in cases and almost 90% in children More specifically, while in January and February 2024 34 cases of percussion had occurred, in March the new incidents reached a total of 54, recording an increase of 58.82%. Even greater is the rise in minors. From the beginning to the end of February 2024, the cases recorded in the official EOPI records, from 17 reached 32, scoring an increase of 88.24% within less than a month. Please note that the vast majority of cases in children are newborns and infants under the year. The cases in adults within 2024, out of 17 touched 22. Concern about “empty” in vaccinations In order to deal with the outbreak of pertussis cases, the EODY warns that it is imperative that vaccination is necessary to protect mainly infants and pregnant women. Scientists who closely monitor the epidemiological development are particularly concerned about vaccination “vaccinations” in adults and especially pregnant women, whose vaccinations also protect – especially vulnerable to their pertussis – newborn babies when they come into the world and have not been able to be vaccinated. It should be noted that the vaccination of pertussis in adults must be updated every 10 years and unfortunately this directive is kept by very few, so that at this moment much of the adult population is insinuating and even more exposed to children. The trivalent Diphtheria – Tetanus – Kokutis vaccine, which is compensated by insurance funds, offers protection against these diseases, but not for life. In addition to children’s vaccinations in the early years of the child’s life, it is required: A booster dose of 18 to 25 years and then a dose every 10 years One dose is required in the third trimester of pregnancy and one dose for each subsequent pregnancy. Adults are at risk if they are not fully vaccinated and even more if they have not had any vaccine. In Greece there are two vaccines: DTaP for children under 7 years of age Tdap for children over 7 years of age, adolescents and adults. In particular, the DTaP vaccine should be administered during the 2nd, 4th, 6th, 15th and 18th months of life and at 4-6 years, while the TdaP vaccine is administered at the age of 11-12 years, between 18 and 25 years of age and then as a booster dose of Td or Tdap every decade. In recent months, several European countries, including our country, have recorded an increase in the number of percussion cases compared to previous years (Denmark, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Montenegro, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Serbia). The increase in reported pertussis cases is likely associated with the non-premature immunisation of certain age groups as well as the lower circulation of the pathogen during the COVID-19 pandemic. What pertussis is An acute bacterial infection of the respiratory system due to the hemophilus of the pertussis (Bodetella pertussis) which is negative by Gram bacteria. Clinical manifestations are distinguished 3 stages of the disease: The precursor or bluetongue lasting 1-2 weeks during which the patient has bluetongue and atypical irritant dry cough initially night. The paroxysmic that lasts 1-6 weeks and coughs becomes progressively stronger, occurs during paroxysms and takes aspasmodic (coccitic) character, with vomiting and sleepiness. The stage of the abscess that lasts 2-3 weeks and the exacerbations become milder and thinner and eventually stop. Fever during the disease when present is usually mild. Complications They are more common in infants and attenuated children and concern mainly respiratory and CNS. The most common complication is secondary pneumonia which is the most frequent cause of death. Granulative encephalopathy is a major complication mainly affects infants and clinically projected with convulsions, ataxia, focal neurological symptoms and coma. Other less severe pertussis complications include otitis media, anorexia and dehydration. Method of transmission The transmission is airborne with droplets or direct contact with secretions from the respiratory system of sick people. In vaccinated populations, bacteria are often transported home by an older brother or sometimes by an adult. Transmissibility period The pertussis has a high communicability with a secondary incidence of 80% among insulating individuals (e.g. people who have not been immune). By Janna Soulaki/Source: Iatropedia.gr