Reinforce Vaccination After Whooping Cough Cases in Veracruz
Alerta de Salud: Aumento de Casos de Tos Ferina en México Exige Refuerzo de la Vacunación
Table of Contents
Publicado: 2025-03-06
Preocupante Aumento de Casos de Tos Ferina
La tos ferina, una enfermedad respiratoria altamente contagiosa, ha mostrado un preocupante aumento en México. On February 26, 2025, teh Secretaría de Salud confirmed 120 cases distributed across 21 states, raising alarms among health authorities and the medical community.
Following the confirmation of two cases of tos ferina in Veracruz, health specialists are calling for reinforced vaccination efforts using the DPT or triple vaccine. They urge parents to immunize their children to prevent potential complications.
¿Qué es la Tos Ferina?
René García Toral, a pulmonologist and thoracic surgeon, explains that this enfermedad is a respiratory tract infección caused by a bacteria. While it can affect individuals of all ages, infants under one year old are the most vulnerable.
“Esta bacteria logra adherirse provocando infección en el tracto respiratorio superior hasta el inferior, generando una tos persistente o muy agresivo y por eso adquiere este nombre. La mejor medida es la prevención y para esto está la vacuna.”
The specialist emphasizes that the best course of action is prevention through vaccination.
Complicaciones y Transmisión
García Toral warns that tos ferina can lead to severe complicaciones such as bronchospasms, neumonía, and even neurological damage, which can be life-threatening.
The incubation period for the enfermedad is approximately seven days, and its transmisión mechanism is similar to that of COVID-19, occurring through bronchial secreciones.
“Una persona que tiene un pañuelo, un vaso, una cuchara contaminado puede adquirir la enfermedad,”
Medidas de prevención y Vacunación
In addition to recommending the use of face masks as a prevención measure, the specialist stresses the importance of maintaining up-to-date childhood vaccination schedules. This prevents not only tos ferina but also othre enfermedades like measles, which has resurfaced and caused deaths in both the United States and Mexico.
The DPT vaccine protects against diphtheria, pertussis (tos ferina), and tetanus. The current vaccination schedule includes the whole-cell DPT vaccine at four years of age, while the acellular DPT (DPaT) vaccine is part of the acellular Pentavalent vaccine, administered at 2, 4, 6, and 18 months.
Vaccination is the primary preventive measure against tos ferina. The DTPa (diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular tos ferina) vaccine is administered in five doses at 2, 4, 6, 15-18 months, and 4-6 years.
Corresponsabilidad en la Salud Pública
To prevent the resurgence of diseases that had been controlled, such as diphtheria, measles, and tos ferina, a shared responsibility between health authorities and the population is essential. This ensures the timely submission of vaccines.
alerta de Salud: Whooping Cough (pertussis) outbreak in Mexico – What you Need to Know
Introduction
Considering the recent increase in whooping cough (pertussis) cases in Mexico,it’s vital to understand this highly contagious respiratory disease. This Q&A-style article provides extensive facts about whooping cough, its prevention, and what steps you can take to protect yourself and your family.
What is Whooping Cough (Pertussis)?
What exactly is whooping cough?
Whooping cough, also known as pertussis or “tos ferina” in Spanish, is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by a bacteria. It affects the respiratory tract,leading to severe coughing fits.
Who is most at risk of whooping cough?
While whooping cough can affect anyone, infants under one year old are particularly vulnerable to severe complications.
What causes whooping cough?
Whooping cough is caused by a bacteria that infects the respiratory tract, from the upper to the lower airways.
Understanding the Outbreak in Mexico
Why is there an increase in whooping cough cases in Mexico?
As of February 26, 2025, the Secretaría de Salud in Mexico confirmed 120 cases of whooping cough across 21 states, prompting health authorities to issue alerts and reinforce vaccination efforts.