The disease, also known as whooping cough, has been on the rise since 2023, according to the latest epidemiological update published on this condition.
It is an infectious disease characterized by catarrhal symptoms in the respiratory tract, with bouts of intense, convulsive coughing.
Globally, 977,000 cases of pertussis were reported in 2024, almost six times more than the 167,407 reported in 2023.
The most affected regions were the Western Pacific (591,193 cases) and Europe (296,543 cases). In the Americas, the trend was similar. After reaching the lowest recorded number in 2022 (3,284 cases), cases increased significantly in 2023 (11,202 cases) and 2024 (66,184 cases).
Between January and November 2025, a total of 10 countries—selected for the epidemiological update—reported increases compared to previous years. Complete data for the entire region for 2025 will be available in 2026.
Pertussis is a vaccine-preventable disease, but its resurgence highlights gaps in immunization and epidemiological surveillance, Dr. Daniel Salas, Executive Manager of the PAHO Special Program for Comprehensive Immunization, noted.
It is urgent that countries ensure high and uniform vaccination coverage, on a sustained basis, especially in children under five years of age, to protect the most vulnerable and prevent outbreaks, he added.
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