The National Institute of Health (NIH) has cautioned health departments across the country about the growing threat of whooping cough, also known as Kali Khansi.
Threat of whooping cough
The NIH has asked provincial and federal health authorities, as well as other relevant officials, to take prompt action to prevent the spread of the extremely contagious disease.
In a letter to concerned officials around the country, the institution listed all preventative steps to control the predicted spike in whooping cough cases in the coming months.
Furthermore, the letter noted the possible impact on health-care institutions as the number of cases increases.
The letter emphasized the need of prompt immunization in reducing this burden and avoiding complications from the dangerous disease.
NIH Advisory
Here are some of the important elements from the NIH advisory:
- Whooping cough, a highly contagious respiratory ailment, can be spread by coughing and sneezing.
- The incubation period (the time between infection and the onset of symptoms) for whooping cough is typically 7 to 10 days, but can last up to 21 days.
- Infected people are most contagious in the early stages of the sickness, lasting up to two weeks after the cough begins.
- Thus, the whooping cough isolation duration ranges from 4 to 21 days.
- Early symptoms include a moderate cough, fever, runny nose, and a progressive increase in cough intensity.
- Newborns and children are more vulnerable to serious consequences like fever.
National Immunizations
The whooping cough vaccination is necessary for high-risk individuals and is included in the national immunisation programme.
Furthermore, citizens have been advised to practice social distancing, proper hygiene, and to cover their lips when coughing or sneezing.
The National Institute of Health has emphasized the need of employing PCR tests to diagnose whooping cough early on, as well as the critical function of antibiotics in lowering its severity.
Other health issues, like as pneumonia, ear infections, and psychological disorders, can be significantly reduced with timely vaccination.
To read our blog on “To stop spreading Dengue fever, NIH issues health guidelines,” click here
