Long-forgotten diseases return. Every year, the number of people suffering from measles, whooping cough and scarlet fever is increasing. Doctors explain that the best way to prevent this disease is vaccination, but more and more people are not specifically vaccinated.
Whooping cough, measles or scarlet fever – dangerous infectious diseases are returning to Polish homes. – We see a huge increase in whooping cough, now 20,000 cases have been registered, which is more than 20 times more than in the same period last year, – says Marek Waszewski, the spokesperson of the chief sanitary doctor.
Compared to last year, the number of viral infections has increased significantly – for example whooping cough, RSV or scarlet fever. In the case of measles, it increases tenfold. More than 22 times more people are infected with RSV. – Apparently, they cause concern, because we thought that some of these infectious diseases are no longer dangerous and do not exist. Unfortunately, they will return again, Marek Waszewski admits.
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There is an increase in the number of infections, such as whooping cough, especially in children's wards. Dr. Evelina Gowin from the Wielkopolska Pandemic Center explains that there are several reasons for the higher incidence of the disease. – The first is the impact of the pandemic, the increase in cases was caused by the interruption of the pandemic in the circulation of viruses – he claims.
The second reason is to better identify the virus. As for RSV, doctors have better tools to diagnose the disease and this can be seen in the statistics.
However, some viruses are making a comeback due to declining vaccination rates. This dangerous trend has been going on for almost ten years. Many diseases, such as measles, could be prevented from recurring if there were no non-compliance with mandatory vaccinations.
RSV virus is in circulation, the children have to take expensive drugs after the transplant. Why isn't it back for everyone Marek Nowicki/Fakty TVN?
Application for vaccines
Doctors are more concerned about the increase in measles. It is necessary to vaccinate at least 95 percent of the population for this virus. – Measles vaccination rate is 81, 82, 83 percent, – notes Izabela Banas, MD, PhD from the Medical University of Lodz.
With the number of infections increasing in the coming years, doctors expect a return of the dangerous problem. – We expect that in a few years we will be able to observe the most dangerous complications of measles, that is, subacute sclerosing encephalitis, which is a fatal complication, – says Evelina Govin.
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Also in the case of whooping cough, the best way to prevent infection is vaccination. For children, taking five doses is mandatory. Adults should get a booster every ten years. From the middle of October, pregnant women can receive the vaccine for free. – After the 27th week of pregnancy, every woman can call her primary care physician and make an appointment for such a vaccine, – informs the spokesperson of the chief sanitary doctor.
Whooping cough is highly contagious – one patient can infect 15 to 17 others. To prevent diseases, doctors recommend, among other things, hygiene – for example, frequent hand washing. It is important to isolate infected persons in case of infectious diseases. – I am a student and I noticed that many people come to the university and are grateful. It certainly doesn't help them and it doesn't help us as healthy people, says one of the students.
Main photo source: TVN24
