The infectious disease whooping cough is gaining strength in our country and the number of patients is increasing every day. The data show that in Varna since the beginning of March, 20 cases of infected with whooping cough have been registered – 17 of children from different kindergartens and schools, and the remaining three of adults. The cases are unrelated and there are currently no outbreaks in the seaside town.
“Children are the most affected, they get sick more easily, and some do not have immunizations. Older people have accumulated immunizations and are more resistant,” said Dr. Varna Anka Baeva, head of the Anti-Epidemic Department, in “The Day Begins” control” in RZI-Varna.
A total of 6 immunizations are given for whooping cough – the main immunization is given at the second, third and fourth months, the next at 16 months, then at 6 and 12 years, she explained.
“At the moment in Varna, the disease passes relatively easily. Very often it is caught in a more advanced stage, because at the beginning the general practitioners start therapy with antibiotics and when the cough does not pass and becomes paroxysmal – then one begins to think about whooping cough and get examined” , added Dr. Baeva.
The Health Committee of the National Assembly will hold an extraordinary meeting today because of the whooping cough situation in the country. The MPs will listen to the line minister, the chief state health inspector, the directors of the Medical Supervision Agency and the National Center for Infectious and Parasitic Diseases.
The most infected with whooping cough are in Sofia, Stara Zagora, Kyustendil, Varna and Burgas, the director of the National Center for Infectious and Parasitic Diseases Prof. Iva Hristova explained a day ago. It is too early to talk about an epidemic in our country, she added.
As for the two newborns from Kyustendil, who were of pre-immunization age and died of complications from the infection in a few days, on Friday the chief state health inspector Angel Kunchev explained that the parents sought medical help too late.
The Ministry of Health reported that instructions have been sent to GPs to track which of those subject to pertussis immunization are not covered and to carry out such vaccination.
