A highly contagious respiratory tract infection that is easily preventable by vaccine, Whooping Cough is particularly dangerous for infants. Besides a cough that sounds like “whoop”, symptoms include a runny nose, nasal congestion, and sneezing. Treatment includes antibiotics.
The Federal Ministry of Health issued an epidemiological alert due to the rapid increase in whooping cough cases in the country. This situation has begun to be particularly worrying in the Yucatan Peninsula, where infections are already being reported in all three states of the region. The disease, known to primarily affect children, is associated with a high risk when not detected and treated early.
To date, Yucatan has 22 confirmed cases, followed by Campeche with 10 and Quintana Roo with 7, for a total of 39 diagnoses on the peninsula. The spread of the outbreak has been rapid, considering that reports have accumulated in just six weeks, which has led health authorities to intensify epidemiological surveillance protocols.
One of the data that most concerns authorities is the increase in fatality rates, particularly in Campeche, where the disease has shown the most severe consequences. Specialists link this increase to low vaccination coverage among minors, a situation that has worsened following the COVID-19 pandemic when many basic vaccination schedules were interrupted.
In addition to the delays in access to health services, an increase in skepticism toward vaccines has been identified, which has contributed to the decline in herd immunity. Given this situation, the Ministry of Health has urged the population to be alert to symptoms, including a persistent cough, difficulty breathing, and fever, and to seek immediate medical care.
In response, state and federal governments are working to review and strengthen vaccination campaigns, particularly in rural communities and marginalized areas. Strategies for early detection, immediate notification, and appropriate treatment are also being strengthened, to protect the child population and prevent the outbreak from becoming a major public health emergency.
The post Authorities Issue Health Alert Due to Increase in Whooping Cough in the Yucatan Peninsula first appeared on The Yucatan Times.