The study conducted by M. Uralieva and K. Nogoybaeva covers the analysis of age susceptibility of children to whooping cough by regions of the country for the period from 2014 to 2024.
The authors of the work point out that the most severe forms of the disease are observed in infants and young children, and in some cases, they can lead to fatal outcomes.
A previous analysis covering the incidence of whooping cough among adults, adolescents, and children during the same period showed that the highest incidence is observed specifically in the child population. In this regard, the researchers set out to determine the most vulnerable age group among children. As part of the study, they examined cases of whooping cough among children under 14 years old, dividing the data by age groups and regions of the republic.
To calculate the incidence rates per 100,000 children, data from the state reporting form No. 1 "Report on Infectious and Parasitic Diseases" for the specified period were used.
The results of the study show that the increase in whooping cough incidence in Kyrgyzstan corresponds to global trends: while outbreaks were previously mainly recorded among infants, in 2018 and especially in 2023-2024, there is an increase in cases among older children. The authors suggest that the mass participation of children in the epidemic process in 2023-2024 may lead to the formation of a significant group with post-infection immunity, which, in turn, may reduce the incidence in the future.
In conclusion, it is emphasized that in recent years, Kyrgyzstan, like many other countries, is facing an activation of the epidemic process among older children. This is associated with a decrease in post-vaccination immunity and an increase in the number of unvaccinated children, which requires a reassessment of immunoprophylaxis strategies and an evaluation of the immune background in various age and regional groups.
