Japan records concerning spike in whooping cough cases

The Japan Institute for Health Security reported 722 new cases of whooping cough nationwide in the week leading up to April 6 – a sharp increase from the previous week’s 578. It is the highest weekly tally since the beginning of the current record-taking system in 2018. So far this year, Japanese health authorities have reported 5652 whooping cough cases, nearly 40% up from the total number last year. Whooping cough, or pertussis, is a contagious respiratory disease characterized by persistent and severe coughing fits. It can affect people of all ages, but it is especially dangerous for babies, who can become seriously ill or die if infected.
According to Professor Saito Akihiko (Niigata University), the current rise in whooping cough cases is caused by a decline in collective immunity and the circulation of a drug-resistant strain. Regarding collective immunity, Saito said preventive measures during the COVID-19 pandemic kept whooping cough cases down, but they also did not allow people to develop natural immunity, making society more vulnerable to a return of the disease. As to the circulating strain, normal antiviral drugs prescribed to treat pertussis appear ineffective this year, allowing the virus to spread. Kasai Masashi of Hyogo Prefectural Kobe Children’s Hospital also noticed a clear shift in the severity of recent cases, with one child dying from the condition at his facility. He added that he is concerned by the rising number of cases and the ineffectiveness of traditional treatment.
In response to the outbreak, the Japan Pediatric Society recommends voluntary vaccinations for children before school age and those aged 11 to 12. Kasai also emphasized the importance of family protection, urging parents to consider vaccinations for their children.