Upsurge in whooping cough cases recorded

South Africa has recorded an upsurge in the number of pertussis cases, commonly known as “whooping cough”, this year.

According to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), the country saw few pertussis cases reported through the notifiable medical conditions surveillance system in the past two years.

Data showed that only 169 pertussis cases had been reported in 2020 and 27 in 2021, while 147 cases had already been detected from the beginning of 2022 to 15 September.

“This is likely as a result of decreased transmission related to non-pharmaceutical interventions to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2,” the NICD said.

In addition, the national public health institution had seen a steady rise in the number of cases reported since May, 23 of which were logged in July, 33 in August and 53 in September.

Of the 147 cases, 77% of the cases were children younger than five years old, with 79% being under three months.

The majority of infections were found in the Western Cape.

“In July and August, the cases reported were evenly distributed across provinces and in keeping with numbers reported before Covid, while in September, the majority of cases were reported from Western Cape and [in] numbers higher than those reported from this province pre-Covid.”

Of the 38 cases reported from the Western Cape in September, 89% were observed in children younger than five and 74% were infants younger than three months.

“Of the 34 children aged younger than five years, only 26 have vaccination statuses, of which 65% were up to date for age with vaccination,” the NICD said.

Pertussis symptoms may vary from person to person.

However, initial symptoms are similar to the common cold and may include nasal congestion, runny nose, mild sore throat, mild dry cough and minimal or no fever.

“Days later, the cough can become more severe and is characterised by episodes of paroxysms, followed by a whooping sound and/or vomiting after coughing.”

Pertussis, according to the NICD, is a vaccine-preventable disease caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis and is a notifiable medical condition according to the National Health Act.

The institute said immunity following vaccination is thought to last for five to six years.

Episodic increases in pertussis cases occur in vaccinated populations every three to five years.

The NICD advised clinicians to be on the alert for cases, conduct diagnostic testing where appropriate, report, notify and prescribe post-exposure prophylaxis to close and high-risk contacts of suspected or confirmed cases.

Meanwhile, parents and guardians with children under five are encouraged to ensure that children are up to date with vaccinations and to seek medical help early, especially for the very young where the illness may be severe. –