Following a severe outbreak of pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, Thai health officials are urging parents to get their children vaccinated. The announcement was made today (December 26) by Chalermphol Osothpromma, the director of the Disease Control Office 12 in Songkhla. He revealed that there have been 45 confirmed cases in the health district 12, with one death in Pattani Province.
As per Chalermphol, the most affected are children under one year of age, accounting for approximately 43.86% of the total cases. The majority of these children had not received the pertussis vaccination. He further added that in the areas experiencing an outbreak, the coverage of the DTP3 vaccine (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis) was only 62%, considerably lower than the 90% threshold needed for community-level immunity.
Thailand has reported a total of 506 cases of pertussis from January 1 to November 9, with 57 confirmed cases and one death. Pertussis is a highly infectious respiratory disease caused by bacteria, leading to inflammation of the respiratory tract. It is easily transmitted through coughing, sneezing, and contact with secretions or personal items of an infected person.
Symptoms of the disease usually appear 7 to 10 days after infection, with a maximum duration of up to 20 days. Patients will have a low fever, runny nose, and continuous cough for about a week, after which they will begin to show significant symptoms of the disease such as coughing in sets, Chalermphol explained.
He emphasized that parents should ensure their children below six years of age are fully vaccinated according to the prescribed schedule. This includes receiving shots at two, four, six, 18 months, and a booster shot at four years of age. For areas currently experiencing an outbreak, such as Pattani and Narathiwat provinces, children under one year should complete three shots of the vaccine.
Chalermphol also stressed that pregnant women should get the pertussis vaccination between 27 and 36 weeks of pregnancy. Additionally, adults living in a household with small children should also get vaccinated, to prevent transmission of the disease to children in the family.
Pertussis, or whooping cough, can have severe consequences for young children, and vaccination is crucial in preventing its spread. Health officials in Thailand are urging parents to prioritize their children’s health by ensuring they receive the pertussis vaccine. With 45 confirmed cases and one death in Pattani Province, the need for vaccination has become increasingly apparent.
According to Chalermphol Osothpromma, the director of the Disease Control Office 12 in Songkhla, children under one year of age are the most affected, accounting for nearly 44% of the total cases. Alarmingly, many of these children had not received the pertussis vaccination, leaving them vulnerable to the disease.
The coverage of the DTP3 vaccine, which provides protection against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis, was found to be only 62% in the areas experiencing the outbreak. This falls significantly below the recommended threshold of 90% for community-level immunity.
Statistics reveal that Thailand has already recorded 506 cases of pertussis this year, with 57 confirmed cases and one death. Pertussis is highly contagious and spreads through respiratory droplets expelled during coughing and sneezing, as well as through contact with infected individuals or their personal belongings.
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, Chalermphol explained the typical symptoms of pertussis, stating that they usually manifest within 7 to 10 days after infection and may persist for up to 20 days. Initially resembling a common cold with a low-grade fever and runny nose, the illness progresses to intense bouts of coughing, often with a whooping sound.
To combat the outbreak and protect vulnerable populations, health officials urge parents to ensure their children under six years of age are fully vaccinated according to the recommended schedule. This includes administering shots at two, four, six, 18 months, and a booster shot at four years of age. In areas experiencing an outbreak, such as Pattani and Narathiwat provinces, it is advised that children under one year complete three shots of the vaccine.
Furthermore, pregnant women should receive the pertussis vaccine between 27 and 36 weeks of pregnancy to offer a degree of protection to their newborns. Additionally, adults living with young children should also consider getting vaccinated to prevent the transmission of the disease within the household.
The outbreak of pertussis in Thailand serves as a stark reminder of the importance of timely vaccinations. Protecting children from potentially life-threatening diseases through immunization is a fundamental responsibility of parents and caregivers. By heeding the advice of health officials and ensuring adequate vaccination, families can contribute to safeguarding the well-being of their loved ones and the wider community.
