Blog #9: New Strain of Whooping Cough has Global Epidemic Potential, Study Suggests

Whooping cough, or pertussis, is a bacterial infection of the respiratory tract that causes severe coughing, difficulty breathing; children are at a higher risk of dying from this. According to researchers, a new strain of whooping cough has increased its prevalence and now it has entered the continent of Australia and is dominating in a four-year-long epidemic of respiratory infections; this strain was also found in other countries, sparking the threat of epidemics elsewhere. In the last 10 years, the increase has jumped from 31% to 84% and is steadily increasing. Study researcher Ruiting Lan, an associate professor at the University of New South Wales, stated that “a vaccine is still the best way to reduce transmission and cases of the disease”.

Although it has been shown that a vaccine is still the best option of preventing whooping cough, children are still the most severely affected—how is this possible? Vaccination coverage has not changed; it is shown that the body’s immune system has developed immunity to it and the new strains that are being discovered are not being affected by the less effective boosters. Due to the concern of vaccine side effects, a more purified version is being used, the weakened booster is ineffective. The thing I want to know most is: what are the side effects?  How serious are these side effects to the point no one want to use the more potent vaccine to whooping cough? With an epidemic on the rise, no one can afford to not have the best vaccine possible. Maybe there can be more studies or testing with the vaccine to improve the side effects while still having a strong enough vaccine, and gain the support of medical professionals and the World Health Organization (WHO) to distribute to everyone. I also think the best way to control the whooping cough epidemic is to give the vaccine as early as possible to the most threatened demographic, the children, the younger the person is getting the  vaccine the better. With finding a new vaccine, this can be distributed to the other regions who are dealing with the same epidemic.

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/03/22/new-strain-whopping-cough-has-global-epidemic-potential-study-suggests/