The General Directorate of Epidemiology of the Secretary of Health issued a surveillance alert for cases of whooping cough in Mexico. According to the Epidemiological Surveillance report, 288 confirmed cases have been registered in 18 entities across the country, representing a concerning increase in just one week with around 78 cases detected.
The National Committee for Epidemiological Surveillance (CONAVE) reported that on March 1, there were 120 confirmed cases distributed across 21 states, urging all medical units to notify, investigate, and follow up on all probable cases. Despite the decrease in whooping cough cases due to the COVID-19 pandemic, an increase in infections began to be observed in 2023, reaching 188 confirmed cases.
Among the most affected entities are Mexico City with 46 cases, Nuevo León with 34 cases, Chihuahua with 24 cases, State of Mexico and Jalisco with 23 cases each, and Aguascalientes with 21 cases. During the period from February 23 to March 1, the State of Mexico reported 15 cases, followed by Mexico City with 9 cases.
Whooping cough is a highly contagious infectious disease transmitted through respiratory means that can be severe in unvaccinated infants and children. Symptoms include nasal discharge, fever, and occasional coughing that worsens over time, resulting in intense coughing fits and difficulty breathing. These fits can last up to 10 weeks and occur especially at night, affecting activities such as eating and drinking.
The acellular pentavalent vaccine is an effective preventive measure against whooping cough in Mexico, protecting against various diseases, including whooping cough. It is essential to strengthen surveillance and vaccination strategy in the country to control the burden of this disease and protect the most vulnerable population, especially children under one year old.
