Prague, Czech Republic – With cases of whooping cough skyrocketing in the Czech Republic, public confusion and controversy have emerged alongside the resurgence of this contagious infection. The week was marked by conflicting official guidance and a public appearance by Prague’s mayor, raising questions about the lessons learned from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Initially, Czech authorities reported 28 cases of whooping cough in the first week of January. However, that number has now surged to 3,084 cases, the highest figure since 1963. Among those affected is Prague’s mayor, Bohuslav Svoboda, an 80-year-old MP and prominent gynaecologist.
During a parliamentary health committee meeting, Mayor Svoboda, visibly irritated and recovering from whooping cough, questioned the necessity of his presence. Despite being on an antibiotic course, he faced criticism for not wearing a face mask, sparking a debate among his colleagues over public health regulations.
While the Prague branch of the Green Party has filed criminal charges against Mayor Svoboda for potentially spreading a contagious disease, the city’s public health authority sent a conflicting message to schools regarding unvaccinated children in the event of a confirmed case of whooping cough. This led to a public clash between local and national health authorities, further adding to the confusion.
Health Minister Vlastimil Válek attributed the rise in whooping cough cases in teenagers to a combination of factors, including a relaxation of Covid-19 measures and incomplete immunization among children. With the vaccination rate estimated at 97% for infants, concerns remain about incomplete immunization for older children, leading to a spike in cases among adolescents.
Experts emphasize the importance of checking vaccination histories and receiving booster shots to prevent further spread of whooping cough, a disease that had once caused significant mortality before the introduction of mandatory vaccination in 1958. While the population remains largely protected due to compulsory immunization, the recent surge serves as a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining vaccination rates to protect vulnerable groups.