Christmas: Britishers advised to adopt 'no hugging or kissing' rule. Everything about it.

Christmas is a festival full of fun and frolic, vacations, entertainment, and all kinds of merry-making and meeting people. People across the world wait for this festival, but the Britishers have been advised to "avoid hugging" people this Christmas. They have also been asked to "wear masks" during this period while a 100-day cough makes its way around the country. After new figures revealed that whooping cough has seen an increase of 250% from last year, Virologist Professor Richard Tedder has advised the people.

'No hugging or kissing' rule
Talking to 'The Sun', the virologist warned that cases would likely rise further over Christmas as people socialize more than usual. He said, "People should ensure they are vaccinated and consider using masks to help prevent the spread [of whooping cough]." He said further, "They could also adopt the 'no hugging or kissing' rule and use their elbows to greet people."


716 cases of whooping cough
If media reports are to be believed, about 716 whooping cough cases were recorded between July and November 26 this year, it was about three times the amount compared to 2022 over the same period.

WHO warns
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the illness kills hundreds of thousands of children annually, while newborn babies have an increased risk of seizures and pneumonia when exposed.

UKHSA: Fewer jab recipients
The latest UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) data on the maternal whooping cough vaccine program has revealed that jab recipients have dropped to the lowest level in seven years. Dr. Gayatri Amirthalingam, of the UKHSA, told 'The Sun' that the rise in cases nationally was "expected". She said, "Social distancing and lockdown measures imposed across the UK during the Covid-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the spread of infections, including whooping cough."

Professor Helen Bedford, an expert in child public health at University College London said that Whooping cough in young babies can be very serious and vaccinating their mothers in pregnancy is the only way of ensuring they are protected in the first few months.

FAQs:

What advice has been given to Britishers before Christmas?
Virologist Professor Richard Tedder has advised people to ensure they are vaccinated and consider using masks to help prevent the spread of whooping cough. He has also said that the people could also adopt the 'no hugging or kissing' rule and use their elbows to greet people."

Why have the Britishers been advised to avoid hugging?
About 716 whooping cough cases were recorded between July and November 26 this year, it was about three times the amount compared to 2022 over the same period. After new figures revealed that whooping cough has seen an increase of 250% from last year, Virologist Professor Richard Tedder has advised the people.