Concern is causing the rise pertination to USA With a strain of the disease being antibiotic resistant and easily spreading.
Following this development with the pertussis in the US, the World Health Organization is increased surveillance, vaccination and prudent use of antibiotics. Otherwise there is a risk of (again) into a serious public health problem.
The emergence of sturdy executives is observed at a time when The pertussis makes a triumphant return. The reason for the reduction of child vaccination rates in many countries around the world.
It is noteworthy that a total of 4,139 cases were recorded on the American continent. In 2024, however, it was ten times as much: they reached 43,751. In the first seven months of 2025, 18,595 cases were recorded. 128 of them proved to be fatal.
The pertussis is acute bacterial respiratory infection. It is also known as the “100 -day cough”, due to the characteristic, persistent, paroxysmal cough it causes. Is due to the pert’s hemophilic infection (Bordetella pertussis), treated with antibiotics belonging to Macrolides. These are included:
Azithromycin
The clarithromycin
Erythromycin
However, genetic mutations in a bacterium gene called 23S RRNA reduce the effectiveness of these antibiotics, warns its US region (Pan -American Health Organization – Paho). Aftermath; Since last year, durable cases of infection have been detected in four American countries:
Brazil
Mexico
Peru
The USA
Unfortunately, in recent years (from the Covid pandemic), extensive use of these antibiotics have been used. In addition, there is a large movement of populations between countries. Thus, there is a risk that the resistant pertussis will spread widely if not immediately measures are taken, Paho points out.
What should be done
“Vaccinations, surveillance and responsible use of antibiotics are vital so that the pertussis is not re -entered into a serious public health issue. We still have time to deal with it. But we have to act now“, Said Dr. Pilar Ramón-Pardo, Head of Paho’s Special Antimicrobial Program.
In practice, this means that vaccine coverage of children should be increased and strengthened early diagnosis programs. The reaction capacity should also be improved in cases of outbreaks, he added.
The pertussis also showed a large increase in the European Union last year. As announced by the European Disease Control & Prevention Center (ECDC), In the first quarter of 2024 more than 32,000 cases were reported. The whole of 2023, however, had reported more than 25,000.
Source Iatropedia.gr