Concern over whooping cough surge

Amid an alarming outbreak of whooping cough, the Health Ministry is urging all pregnant women to get vaccinated against the disease.

Since the beginning of the year until mid-June, 264 cases of whooping cough were recorded in Greece, compared to just nine reported throughout 2023.

Of the 264 cases, 34 were reported in the first 13 days of June.

More than one in two (58%) reported so far this year concern children and adolescents under the age of 18.

In fact, 15% of cases concern infants up to 3 months old, while three deaths have been recorded - two infants and one adult.

As stated in a circular issued by Deputy Minister of Health Eirini Agapidaki on Friday, outbreaks of the disease have been observed in recent months in several European countries (Denmark, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Montenegro, United Kingdom,...