A report analyzed by the Czech Republic Health Ministry displays an upsurge in intact cough, a condition as reported in the first week of this month with figures standing at 28. The case count was now 3084, which is the highest figure since January 1963.
Famous MP with Whooping Cough
Among those affected is Bohuslav Svoboda, an 80-year-old MP and prominent gynecologist from Prague.
As reported by BBC News, during a parliamentary health committee meeting, Dr. Svoboda’s coughing was evident, and he expressed irritation at having to attend, questioning why he was required to be present.
Dr. Svoboda mentioned that he was on day six of an antibiotic course and believed he was no longer infectious, stating, “So I’m no longer infectious… or at least that’s what they taught me at school.” His comment elicited laughter from most in the room, although one member suggested he wear a mask.
The Prague branch of the Green Party expressed concern, noting that public health rules prohibit patients with whooping cough from going outdoors until they have completed the full course of antibiotics. The party also filed criminal charges against the mayor for “spreading a contagious disease.”
Rising Cases in the Country
In response to the increasing number of cases nationwide, health officials in Prague have issued an urgent directive. A letter was sent to schools in the capital, stating that any unvaccinated children must be sent home if a confirmed case of whooping cough is identified in their class.
However, this directive was promptly rejected by the head of the national public health authority, who criticized Prague colleagues at a press conference.
She stated that schools could no longer exclude unvaccinated children, even if it was in the best interest of the health board, as reported by BBC News.
In contrast, each situation deserves individual scrutiny and the situation that should be considered are the number of hours that the child has participated in the class.
Epidemiologists, including those who dealt with the government’s response to the early phases of COVID and the spread of the disease, just could not believe any such claims. They stated that the recommendation adopted by the revised health ministry rules is precisely what the Prague authority should follow.
Vaccination Status in the Country
Vaccination against whooping cough, known as “black cough” in the Czech Republic, is compulsory in the country.
It is administered alongside diphtheria, tetanus, polio, and other immunizations starting from infancy.
Official statistics indicate that vaccination coverage for whooping cough is at 97 percent of the infant population, suggesting that there are hundreds of thousands of unvaccinated children in the Czech Republic.