Weekly cases of whooping cough in Japan hit record high
Whooping cough is an infectious bacterial disease characterized by severe, persistent coughing. It can be fatal, especially for infants up to six months old.
The Japan Institute for Health Security says 3,353 cases were reported by medical institutions across the country in the week through June 29.
The figure is up 142 from the previous week, and the highest since the current method of record keeping began in 2018.
By prefecture, Tokyo had 234 cases, followed by 229 in Saitama, 163 in Kanagawa, 154 in Ibaraki and 140 in Niigata. The total number of cases in Japan this year stands at 39,672.
There have been reports this season of infants dying or becoming seriously ill. Up to the end of June, four infants aged between less than one month and four months were confirmed dead in four prefectures.
There are also reports of infections involving drug-resistant bacteria.
The Japan Pediatric Society is calling on parents to immediately vaccinate infants who have turned two months old.
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Weekly cases of whooping cough in Japan hit record high
Weekly cases of whooping cough have hit a record high in Japan. Whooping cough is an infectious bacterial disease characterized by severe, persistent coughing. It can be fatal, especially for infants up to six months old. The Japan Institute for Health Security says 3,353 cases were reported by medical institutions across the country in the week through June 29. The figure is up 142 from the previous week, and the highest since the current method of record keeping began in 2018. By prefecture, Tokyo had 234 cases, followed by 229 in Saitama, 163 in Kanagawa, 154 in Ibaraki and 140 in Niigata. The total number of cases in Japan this year stands at 39,672. There have been reports this season of infants dying or becoming seriously ill. Up to the end of June, four infants aged between less than one month and four months were confirmed dead in four prefectures. There are also reports of infections involving drug-resistant bacteria. The Japan Pediatric Society is calling on parents to immediately vaccinate infants who have turned two months old.
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