New Research: Mutated ‘100-Day Cough’ Poses Global Health Threat
A recent study, released as a pre-print and yet to undergo peer review, has sounded alarms about a mutated strain of disease with global implications. Dubbed the ‘100-day cough’, outbreaks have been observed across Europe, Asia, and the US in 2024.
Surge in Whooping Cough Cases
Starting in January, there has been a significant surge in whooping cough cases, marking the most substantial increase since 2012 in the UK and Europe. The US has also reported localized clusters in cities like New York City, San Francisco, and Hawaii.
China’s Struggle with Pertussis
China has seen a dramatic rise, with over 15,000 cases reported in January alone, a stark 15-fold jump from the previous year. This surge is primarily attributed to a new strain, MR-MT28, which not only infects older children and vaccinated individuals but also exhibits resistance to common antibiotics like azithromycin, clarithromycin, and erythromycin.
Pathogen Evolution and Vaccine Escape
The study challenges previous notions of immunity waning due to pandemic restrictions. Instead, researchers suggest that pathogen evolution is driving the surge, enabling the disease to evade vaccine-induced protection.
Study Findings
The research, conducted at the Children’s Hospital of Fudan University in Shanghai, analyzed samples from patients with whooping cough between June 2016 and March 2024. Surprisingly, 88% of those affected in 2024 were vaccinated, a sharp contrast to previous years.
Age Shift and Vaccine Efficacy
Traditionally impacting younger children, the study reveals a notable shift, with 84% of cases in 2024 occurring in older children. This trend underscores concerns about the mutated strain’s ability to bypass vaccine protection and its increased severity among vaccinated individuals.
The findings emphasize the urgent need for continued surveillance and research to address the evolving threat posed by these mutated pathogens.
