Bulgaria's Chief State Health Inspector: No need to introduce epidemic declaration over pertussis

An epidemic declaration will not be introduced in the country over the spread of pertussis because it is not necessary, the Chief State Health Inspector Assoc. Prof. Angel Kunchev said on April 26.

500 cases of pertussis have been registered in the country. According to Kunchev, no emergency measures are being imposed, and quarantines will only be introduced in specific schools and kindergartens where there are cases, with online training also being introduced. At the moment, a peak of the disease cannot be predicted, as the spread of pertussis is not expected to subside until the end of the year, he added. Next week, an ordinance will come into force, according to which the first dose of pertussis vaccine will be given when the babies are at the age of a month and a half (instead of 2 months as the practice has been so far). Vaccines will be provided for pregnant women who wish to be immunised.

"So far, 21 districts (out of 28) have registered cases, but in a few days it will reach all parts of the country. There are cases of whooping cough in the whole of Europe and of course we will also get into this picture," said Assoc. Prof. Dr. Angel Kunchev.

"Let's lower the age for the start of the vaccination and allow it as a recommended immunisation. The change in the ordinance and the promulgation in the state gazette is expected to happen by the end of the month," he added.

He said the state is responsible for providing vaccines for the immunisation schedule.

"From the second month to 12 years. We will provide vaccines for pregnant women, we have an assurance that 2,000 are being imported today, and we are working on securing additional amounts of vaccines because the demand in Europe is huge," the health inspector stressed.

By the end of the week it will be clear if a pertussis epidemic needs to be declared