The return of the “100-day cough” – A deadly threat

The highly contagious whooping cough (pertussis)—also known as the "100-day cough"—is making a strong resurgence, posing a serious threat to infants, especially those under six months old, who remain vulnerable to the disease

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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