Alarm Over Rising Cases
Professor Nikolaos Sypsas, President of the Hellenic Society of Infectious Diseases, emphasized the worrying resurgence of the disease during the 24th Panhellenic Congress of Infections in Athens (March 13-16).
The numbers are alarming:
- 2023: 9 cases in Greece
- 2024: 438 cases – a staggering 4,800% increase
Dr. Aristotelis Tsiakalos, an infectious disease expert, noted that the total number of cases from 2000-2016 was 509, highlighting how severe this recent spike is.
Why Is Whooping Cough So Dangerous?
Whooping cough is caused by the Bordetella pertussis bacterium, which affects the respiratory system, causing prolonged severe coughing fits that can lead to complications such as pneumonia, seizures, and even death—especially in unvaccinated infants.
How to Stay Protected
💉 Vaccination is the best defense, particularly for:
✔️ Pregnant women (to pass immunity to newborns)
✔️ Infants (via routine immunization)
✔️ Adults in close contact with babies
As cases continue to rise, health experts urge immediate preventive action to curb the spread of this life-threatening disease.
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