Cases of whooping cough have reached unprecedented levels in Flanders in 2024. A total of 2,785 cases were recorded, more than double the previous year's figures, according to the Flemish Health Department.
Most cases were recorded in Antwerp (773), followed by Flemish Brabant (648), and East Flanders (478). Numbers are also high in Limburg (376) and West Flanders (290), with 220 cases from an unknown province.
Whooping cough can be fatal, particularly for infants. The disease is caused by a bacterium, starts with cold-like symptoms, and can lead to severe coughing spells. Pregnant women can get vaccinated to protect their babies, and infants can be vaccinated from eight weeks of age.
In 2023, there were 1,169 cases, and previous years saw numbers around 1,100. During the pandemic, infections dropped significantly.
There have already been 78 cases in the first two months of this year. "Whooping cough is a cyclical disease; it comes in waves," said virologist Steven Van Gucht. "Additionally, cases were minimal during the pandemic, leading to a rebound that began at the end of 2023 and peaked in 2024."
Despite the peak, the situation is significantly worse in the Netherlands. The neighbouring country recorded 18,133 whooping cough cases last year. Dive babies and three people over 60 died from the disease in the Netherlands in 2024.
Measles cases have also risen sharply in 2024, with 123 cases reported last year. Notably, there have already been 34 cases this year, nearly as many as in 2023 (35).
