Parts of the world are witnessing deadly whooping cough outbreaks
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Deaths have been reported in China, the Philippines, Czech Republic and the Netherlands
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The highly contagious disease is difficult to detect early and can be fatal, especially in children and babies
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The infection is caused by bacterium Bordetella pertussis, which targets the upper respiratory system, releasing toxins that can cause the airways to swell
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It spreads easily from person to person mainly through droplets produced by coughing or sneezing
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According to WHO, the first symptoms of whooping cough generally appear 7 to 10 days after infection
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Symptoms include a mild fever, runny nose and cough, which in typical cases gradually develops into a hacking cough followed by whooping
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People with whooping cough are most contagious up to about 3 weeks after cough begins. Infected children may have coughing spells up to 8 weeks
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Antibiotics are available to treat the infection and the best way to prevent it is through immunization, according to WHO