ANALYSIS OF THE EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SITUATION ON WHOOPING COUGH IN THE AKTOBE REGION OF THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN

Whooping cough, an acute respiratory infection characterized by paroxysmal coughing, remains one of the significant causes of morbidity and mortality among children worldwide, despite the successes of vaccination. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 60 million people are infected with whooping cough each year, of which about 1 million are children under one year old. Alongside high vaccination coverage, many developed countries such as the USA, Australia, and the Netherlands are facing epidemics of whooping cough. Official statistics on morbidity may not reflect the true picture, as only 10-12% of cases are diagnosed. The aim of this study is to analyze the dynamics of the epidemiological process of whooping cough in the Aktobe region of the Republic of Kazakhstan over the period of 2020-2024. The study utilized statistical data on whooping cough morbidity from the Department of Sanitary and Epidemiological Control for the specified period. The analysis showed an uneven distribution of whooping cough morbidity, with a marked increase in cases in 2024 compared to previous years. The main factors contributing to the rise in morbidity are the decrease in vaccination coverage and the antivaccine sentiments among the population. According to the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan, 1440 cases of whooping cough were registered at the beginning of 2024, significantly exceeding the figures for 2023. This study highlights the need to increase vaccination rates and raise public awareness about the risks associated with whooping cough.