A dire warning has been issued by the Pan American Health Association (PAHO) about the rising cases of whooping cough in the Americas. The resurgence of this vaccine-preventable disease is a stark reminder of the urgent need to address immunization gaps.
In 2022, the region reported a concerning 3,284 cases, but by 2023, this number skyrocketed to a staggering 66,184 cases. And here's where it gets controversial: despite a slight rebound in vaccination coverage last year, reaching 89% and 87% for the first and third doses, respectively, significant disparities persist between countries.
Dr. Daniel Salas, executive manager of PAHO's special program on integrated immunization, emphasizes the urgency of ensuring high and consistent vaccination coverage, particularly among children under five. "Whooping cough is a preventable disease, but its resurgence highlights critical gaps in our immunization and surveillance efforts," he said. "We must protect our most vulnerable populations and prevent outbreaks."
The United States, in particular, has seen a significant rise in whooping cough cases, with 25,057 confirmed and probable cases reported so far this year, including 13 deaths. Washington state, California, and Florida have been the hardest hit, with Peru following closely behind, reporting 3,200 infections and 49 deaths. Tragically, most whooping cough deaths occur in infants under one year of age.
But there's a glimmer of hope amidst this public health crisis. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a US-manufactured version of the oral antibiotic Augmentin XR (amoxicillin-clavulanate potassium) under a new priority review program. This approval, granted to USAntibiotics of Bristol, Tennessee, is a significant step towards boosting domestic drug manufacturing and addressing antibiotic shortages caused by global supply chain vulnerabilities.
"America has lost control of supply chains for key medicines in the past, but we're entering a new era of manufacturing here at home," said FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, MD, MPH. "This approval strengthens our domestic manufacturing capabilities and enhances our national security."
And this is the part most people miss: the FDA's Commissioner's National Priority Voucher (CNPV) program, which aims to fast-track the review process for drugs, is a crucial initiative to address large unmet medical needs, bring innovative therapies to Americans, and increase drug affordability.
In other news, the US Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has reported new outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in five states. Indiana has been the hardest hit, with outbreaks affecting over 15,000 birds in commercial duck meat facilities. Additionally, an outbreak in a poultry facility in LaGrange has affected 19,400 birds. APHIS has also reported outbreaks in commercial poultry in North Dakota and backyard flocks in Washington, Wyoming, and West Virginia.
HPAI detections tend to be higher in the fall and spring as wild birds spread the virus during migration. Over the past 30 days, 108 flocks, both commercial and backyard, have been affected, resulting in the loss of 1.16 million birds.
In related news, health officials in Ohio are investigating the deaths of two vultures found in Pierce Township. Preliminary lab results indicate that these birds succumbed to HPAI. It will take approximately ten days to confirm HPAI as the cause of death.
These developments highlight the ongoing challenges and the need for proactive measures to address public health concerns. It's a reminder that we must stay vigilant and work together to protect our communities.
