"Whooping Cough Outbreak, Please Follow Prevention Guidelines"... Yangsan City Stresses Vaccination and Personal Hygiene Compliance

Yangsan City in Gyeongnam Province has recently launched an intensive campaign to promote compliance with infectious disease prevention guidelines in order to prevent the spread of pertussis, which is currently prevalent in the area.

Pertussis vaccination. [Image source: Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency National Health Information]

The pertussis outbreak currently underway is an acute respiratory disease transmitted through droplets (coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge, etc.) from patients or carriers infected with the Bordetella pertussis bacterium. The incubation period is 5 to 21 days (average 7 to 10 days), fever is usually not severe, and paroxysmal coughing is a characteristic symptom.

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, as of July 29, 2024, the number of domestic pertussis cases this year has reached 14,658, nearly 50 times higher than the 292 cases reported in the entire previous year. In Yangsan City, there have been 32 cases so far, which is a relatively low infection rate compared to the national trend. However, since pertussis is mainly spreading among children and adolescents, and with the recent summer vacation expanding activity areas nationwide, the city urged thorough adherence to prevention guidelines to prevent further spread of the disease.

It was also stated that in the event of a confirmed pertussis diagnosis, isolation treatment is required for five days from the start of antibiotic administration, and if antibiotics cannot be taken, isolation should be maintained for at least three weeks until coughing stops.

To prevent pertussis, the following measures are recommended: ▲ Receive vaccinations (Tdap) according to the schedule ▲ Wash hands properly ▲ Practice proper cough etiquette ▲ Ventilate indoor spaces frequently ▲ Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands ▲ Seek medical care if experiencing cough symptoms ▲ Wear a mask in daily life to prevent group outbreaks.

Pertussis Vaccination.

An official from the Yangsan City Public Health Center stated, "Pertussis is a highly contagious disease, so if you have suspected symptoms or develop symptoms after contact with a confirmed patient, you should wear a mask and visit a medical institution immediately for appropriate treatment. As pertussis is spreading mainly in schools, we urge educational facilities such as elementary, middle, and high schools, academies, kindergartens, and daycare centers to follow infectious disease prevention guidelines and ensure vaccination."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.