Epidemiological situation with whooping cough stable in Uzbekistan – Nurmat Otabekov

In Uzbekistan, the epidemiological situation with whooping cough is stable, and there is no reason for concern, says the Deputy Head of the Committee for Sanitary-Epidemiological Welfare and Public Health Nurmat Otabekov. The statement was published by the Ministry of Health.

Earlier, reports began to spread on social networks that a whooping cough epidemic had begun in Uzbekistan.

“Whooping cough is a highly contagious disease caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. Patients suffering from it experience symptoms of ARVI, as well as severe coughing attacks and vomiting. This disease is mainly detected in young children and adolescents, but adults also suffer from it,” the Ministry of Health said in a statement.

It is noted that in Uzbekistan, according to the national vaccination calendar, babies are vaccinated three times with a pentavalent vaccine (against whooping cough, diphtheria, tetanus, hepatitis V, and Hib infection) when they are 2-, 3-, and 4-months old. A year later, when they become 16 months old, revaccination with DTP-4 is carried out.

According to Nurmat Otabekov, since the beginning of the year, about 2 million children have received a vaccine against this disease. In particular, in January-August, 97.6% of children received Penta-1, 98.5% - Penta-2 and 98.5% - Penta-3. 98.9% of 16-month-old children were revaccinated.

“Whooping cough is seasonal, it can be observed more often in the autumn-winter period, and in most cases, it is detected in those who are not vaccinated (medical exemptions and refusal) or who have not completed the full course of vaccination, and in some cases in children who have not developed immunity after vaccination,” said Nurmat Otabekov.

He noted that the risk of spreading the disease remains among unvaccinated children, so it is natural that whooping cough is registered among the population, albeit in small quantities.

“This disease can only be defeated by building collective immunity. To do this, it is necessary to vaccinate children from an early age according to the National Vaccination Schedule. The epidemiological situation in our country is stable, and there is no reason for concern; this disease passes without any complications,” Nurmat Otabekov concluded.