Whooping cough (pertussis)

Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. Characterized by severe coughing spells that can interrupt normal breathing, pertussis is particularly dangerous for infants and young children. It spreads through airborne droplets from coughs or sneezes of infected individuals. Despite the availability of effective vaccines, pertussis remains a significant public health challenge globally.

Pertussis, has historically been a significant public health challenge. Prior to the introduction of the pertussis vaccine, the United States recorded up to 270,000 cases annually with as many as 10,000 deaths. The disease was so prevalent that nearly every child was believed to have contracted pertussis at some point. The advent of vaccination led to a dramatic decline in the number of reported cases.

However, immunity to pertussis after infection or vaccination wanes over time, and without regular exposure to the bacterium, which could boost immunity, older children and adults began to show increased susceptibility. This has been evidenced by rising rates of pertussis among adolescents and adults since the 1990s. Despite the introduction of booster vaccinations, pertussis rates remain elevated compared to the mid-20th century, exacerbated by populations that remain undervaccinated or unvaccinated. Globally,...