Number of whooping cough cases in 2009 highest since 1966

The number of whooping cough cases registered in the Czech Republic in 2009 was the highest since 1966, an expert from the National Institute of Public Health told reporters on Thursday. A total of 955 cases were registered in the country but experts believe the situation may be much worse than that. Three babies have died of whooping cough in the Czech Republic since 2005; prior to that, the last death was recorded in 1970. Vaccination of babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers against whooping cough in then Czechoslovakia was introduced in 1958; last year, the rising number of cases made authorities re-vaccinate children aged 11 and 12.