The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has warned health officials across the country about the increasing threat of whooping cough, commonly known as Kali Khansi.
The NIH has directed provincial and federal health departments and other relevant officials to take immediate action to prevent the spread of the highly contagious disease.
In a letter to concerned authorities across the country, the institute has outlined all precautionary measures to contain the expected surge in whooping cough cases in the coming months. Additionally, the letter also noted the potential strain on healthcare facilities due to rising cases.
The letter has highlighted the importance of timely vaccination to alleviate this burden and prevent complications from the infectious disease.
Below are some of the key points from the NIH recommendation:
Whooping cough, a highly contagious respiratory infection, can be spread through coughing and sneezing.
The incubation period (the time between infection and the onset of symptoms) for whooping cough is usually 7 to 10 days, but can be up to 21 days. Infected people are most contagious in the early stages of the disease until about two weeks after the cough begins. Therefore, the isolation period for whooping cough is 4 to 21 days.
Initial symptoms include a mild cough, low-grade fever, runny nose, and a gradual increase in cough intensity.
Newborns and children are particularly vulnerable to serious complications, including fever.
Whooping cough vaccination is mandatory for high-risk individuals and is part of the national vaccination program.
Additionally, citizens have been advised to maintain social distancing and proper hygiene and cover their mouths when coughing or sneezing. The National Institutes of Health has emphasized the importance of early diagnosis using PCR testing and the critical role of antibiotics in reducing the severity of whooping cough.
Timely vaccination can be very helpful in preventing other health complications such as pneumonia, ear infections and mental health problems.