Pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. The illness is characterized by severe coughing fits that may be accompanied by a characteristic “whooping” sound as the patient tries to catch their breath. While whooping cough was once a common childhood illness, it all but disappeared in the 1940s after a vaccine was developed. However, in recent decades, the illness has been making a comeback, leading many to ask the question: was pertussis ever eradicated?
The answer to this question is complicated. In the years immediately following the introduction of the pertussis vaccine, cases of the illness did drop dramatically. By the 1970s, the number of reported cases of whooping cough in the United States was in the low thousands. However, beginning in the 1980s, pertussis began to reemerge as a public health concern.
There are several factors that have contributed to the resurgence of whooping cough. One is the waning immunity that occurs after vaccination. Studies have shown that immunity to pertussis begins to decline within a few years of receiving the vaccine. This means that many adults who were vaccinated as children may no longer be fully protected against the illness.
Another factor is incomplete vaccine coverage. While the pertussis vaccine is recommended for all children, not all parents choose to vaccinate their children. Some parents believe that vaccines are unnecessary or even harmful, despite overwhelming scientific evidence to the contrary. This has led to pockets of unvaccinated individuals who are at increased risk of contracting and spreading the disease.
In recent years, several states have reported significant outbreaks of pertussis, with more than 100 deaths since 2010. In the years since 2012, there has been a fall in cases, but numbers are still high compared to the years before the 2012 epidemic. In 2012, 14 babies under three months old died of pertussis, and another 18 died between 2013 and 2016. However, there were no deaths from pertussis in 2017, and no deaths in the first half of 2018.
To combat the resurgence of pertussis, public health officials recommend that all children receive the pertussis vaccine as part of their routine immunizations. Adults who have not been vaccinated against pertussis should also consider getting vaccinated, particularly if they are in close contact with young children or oher vulnerable populations. Additionally, individuals who are experiencing symptoms of pertussis should seek medical attention and avoid contact with others to prevent the spread of the disease.
While pertussis was never fully eradicated, the introduction of the vaccine did lead to a dramatic reduction in cases of the illness. However, factors such as waning immunity and incomplete vaccine coverage have contributed to a resurgence of pertussis in recent decades. While the disease remains a public health concern, vaccination and other preventive measures can help to reduce the spread of pertussis and protect vulnerable populations.
Why Is Pertussis Not Eradicated?
Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is caused by a highly contagious bacteria known as Bordetella pertussis. Although vaccines have been developed and widely used to prevent the spread of pertussis, the disease has not been eradicated due to several factors.
One of the main reasons pertussis is still prevalent is incomplete vaccine coverage. While vaccines are highly effective in preventing pertussis, not everyone receives them. Some individuals may not have access to vaccines or may choose not to get vaccinated due to personal beliefs or concerns about vaccine safety.
Another factor contributing to the prevalence of pertussis is the waning immunity of the vaccine. While the pertussis vaccine provides long-lasting immunity, it may not provide lifelong protection. This means that individuals who were vaccinated as children may still be susceptible to the disease as adults.
Additionally, the bacteria that causes pertussis can mutate over time, making it difficult for vaccines to provide complete protection against all strains of the bacteria. This can result in outbreaks of pertussis in communities whee the disease was previously under control.
While vaccines have been effective in reducing the prevalence of pertussis, incomplete vaccine coverage, waning immunity, and mutated strains of the bacteria have prevented the disease from being eradicated.
When Was The Last Pertussis Outbreak?
The last pertussis outbreak occurred in 2012, which was considered to be the worst epidemic in over 50 years. Since then, there has been a decrease in the number of reported cases, but the numbers are still relatively high compared to pre-2012 levels. In 2012, 14 babies under three months old died from pertussis, and between 2013 and 2016, another 18 babies died from the disease. However, there were no reported deaths from pertussis in 2017, and no deaths have been reported in the first half of 2018. It is important to note that although there has been a decrease in reported cases, pertussis remains a serious disease that can be fatal, especially in infants and young children.
Was Whooping Cough Eradicated In The US?
Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, was not fully eradicated in the US. However, the number of cases drastically reduced after the development of a vaccine in the 1940s. Prior to the vaccine, there were around 200,000 cases per year in the US. By the 1970s, the number of cases had dropped to fwer than 5,000 per year. However, in recent decades, there has been a resurgence of whooping cough cases. While the vaccine is still effective, changes in the vaccine and waning immunity are likely contributing to the increase in cases. Therefore, it is important for individuals to stay up-to-date on their vaccinations and for healthcare providers to remain vigilant in diagnosing and treating cases of whooping cough.
Conclusion
Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, was not fully eradicated despite the development of a vaccine in the 1940s. While the vaccine initially significantly reduced the prevalence of the disease, incomplete vaccine coverage and the choice of some individuals not to vaccinate have led to a resurgence of pertussis in recent decades. Outbreaks have been reported in several states, and tere have been deaths, particularly among infants under three months old. Changes in the vaccine and waning immunity are likely contributing factors to the resurgence of the illness. Therefore, it is important for individuals to be vaccinated and for public health officials to continue to monitor and address the issue of pertussis.
