تفشٍ غامضٍ لمرضٍ معدٍ يثير قلق آسيا

Japan is witnessing an unprecedented wave of whooping cough infections, with the number of confirmed cases surpassing 43,700 since the beginning of this year, a tenfold increase compared to last year, according to data from the Japan National Institute of Health Security. In just one week, Japan recorded 3,578 new infections, prompting health authorities to raise the level of monitoring and warning about the potential spread of the infection, especially among children.

The disease, which is bacterial and highly contagious, spreads through droplets from sneezing and coughing, and can lead to serious complications or death in infants, despite high vaccination rates against the disease in Japan and worldwide. Symptoms often present as a persistent cough that may be accompanied by vomiting or breathing difficulties, requiring urgent medical care.

The World Health Organization indicated that about 89% of children have received at least one dose of the triple vaccine (diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus), while 85% completed the full three doses.

This outbreak raises questions about the effectiveness of current vaccination coverage, the possibility of new strains of the disease, or a decline in population immunity following the pandemic. Japanese health authorities continue to conduct field investigations and enhance community awareness of preventive measures and vaccination.