Alarming Increase in Whooping Cough Cases in Netherlands: RIVM Warns of Declining Vaccination Rates

In the first two weeks of April, 1,800 cases of whooping cough were reported, including fifty in infants. The death of someone with whooping cough who was over 80 years old was also reported.

Most fell ill in March, but only went to the doctor in April. So it is not clear whether the number of cases of whooping cough is still increasing.

According to the RIVM, the numbers are very high compared to previous years, also compared to the years before the corona pandemic.

This year’s number is 5,303, including 276 babies. Almost half of all babies were admitted to hospital and four of them died from whooping cough.

During 2023, RIVM received 2,842 reports of whooping cough.

Whooping cough is highly contagious and especially dangerous for babies. Coughing can, among other things, cause a lack of oxygen, causing brain damage.

The RIVM sees an increase in the number of whooping cough reports every two to four years. A big peak was also seen in 2012.

The RIVM believes that the measures against the coronavirus also helped to prevent the spread of whooping cough. As a result, many people did not develop immunity against the disease. Partly as a result, the number of reports is now expected to increase.

Another reason is the declining vaccination rate. Because parents do not vaccinate their children in full, the risk of breakage increases. Health services are concerned about this

It seems that the number of reports of measles is decreasing. In the last two weeks, RIVM received a report in the Utrecht region and one in the North Limburg region. There were also new reports from the South East Brabant region, where there was a previous outbreak. The GGD conducts source and contact research.