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Highly infectious disease Minister warns of whooping cough
Whooping cough is highly contagious and can be particularly dangerous for infants. The number of infections rose to a new high last year. Bavaria's Health Minister Melanie Huml advises against vaccination.
Especially dangerous for infants
Whooping cough (pertussis) occurs throughout the year, but in autumn and winter, infections are generally more common. In recent times, an unusually large number of people have become infected in Germany. The childhood disease, which also occurs in adults, is especially dangerous for infants. There were even a few deaths in the past year. Bavaria's Health Minister Melanie Huml (CSU) advises now to the whooping cough vaccine.
Whooping cough is highly contagious and can be particularly dangerous for small children and infants. Health experts advise vaccination. (Image: Konstantin Yuganov / fotolia.com) Effective protection
As the news agency dpa reports, the minister said on Sunday: "Whooping cough is highly contagious. Only one vaccine can effectively protect against it. "According to the data, 325 people already have whooping cough this year in the Free State.
"Infants are most affected by severe disease. Therefore, the parents, grandparents and siblings should receive a whooping cough vaccine at least four weeks before the birth of a child, "said the politician.
Number of whooping cough infections at a new high
Last year, 3,017 cases of whooping cough were registered in Bavaria, significantly more than in the previous year. According to the Bavarian State Office for Health and Food Safety (LGL), only 2,110 cases were reported at that time.
According to the Ministry, improved diagnostic procedures could be a reason for the increase in numbers.
Nationwide, the number of whooping cough infections has risen to a new high. The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) registered a total of 22,119 cases in 2016. These were by far the most since the start of nationwide registration in 2013.
Transmission is by droplet infection
Transmission of the highly contagious infectious disease "is by droplet infection, which can be done by close contact with an infectious person, by large droplets within a distance of up to about 1 meter by coughing, sneezing or speaking," write the experts of the RKI on their website.
"Adolescents and adults play an important role as transmitters on infants," it continues. The incubation period is usually nine to ten days (range: six to 20 days).
Primary immunization for children
The Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) recommends starting the vaccine against whooping cough, which consists of four vaccine doses, from the age of two months and completing it by the 14th month of life at the latest.
At the age of five to six and from nine to 17 years, the vaccine should be refreshed once each.
According to the Bavarian Ministry of Health, the vaccination recommendation also applies to women of childbearing age as well as to health care staff and community facilities. Adults should therefore receive the vaccine once in combination with protection against tetanus and diphtheria.
According to the Federal Center for Health Education (BZgA), the injection site may become swollen, achy or red after vaccination. In addition, increased temperature, shivering, fatigue, muscle pain and gastrointestinal complaints are possible. The symptoms usually resolve after three days at the latest. (Ad)