Pertussis
7 Active OutbreaksPertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. It causes severe coughing fits that can last for weeks or months.
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What is Pertussis?
Pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, gets its name from the distinctive 'whooping' sound made when gasping for air after a coughing fit. Before the vaccine was developed, pertussis was a leading cause of childhood death worldwide. Today, it remains a serious threat, especially to infants who are too young to be fully vaccinated.
Symptoms
- Initial cold-like symptoms (runny nose, mild fever)
- Severe, uncontrollable coughing fits
- Whooping sound when gasping for air
- Vomiting after coughing
- Exhaustion after coughing fits
- Apnea (pauses in breathing) in infants
Transmission
Pertussis spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It is highly contagious, especially in the first two weeks when symptoms resemble a common cold. Close contact with infected individuals poses the highest risk.
Contagious Period: From early cold-like symptoms through 3 weeks after coughing begins (or 5 days after starting antibiotics)
Prevention
- DTaP vaccine for infants and children (5 doses by age 6)
- Tdap booster for adolescents (age 11-12) and adults
- Tdap during each pregnancy (27-36 weeks) to protect newborns
- Isolation of infected individuals
- Prophylactic antibiotics for close contacts
- Practice respiratory hygiene and handwashing
Live Pertussis Global Case Map
6 countries with reported activity. Updated from real-time surveillance data.
United States — State Detail
1 state with reported activity. Click a state for detailed surveillance.
Active Outbreaks & Recent Cases
Real-time intelligence from global health monitoring and AI-powered surveillance
Data sources: BEACON, ProMED, WHO, CDC, and 50+ national health agencies
✓ Live data updated in real-time from global health sources
13.5mn kids didn't get even single vaccine in Ist year in 2025: WHO-Unicef report
An estimated 13.5 million "zero-dose" children, including 679,000 in India, did not receive a single vaccine in their first year in 2025, according to the annual WHO-UNICEF Estimates of National Immunization Coverage (WUENIC) released on Wednesday. Nigeria topped the chart with 2.2 million unvaccinated children.
The report said 90% of infants globally, or nearly 116 million, received at least one dose of a diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTP) vaccine, and 85% (110 million) completed the full
📰 162 news sources reporting on this story.
🔗 Read more at UN News
Global childhood vaccination rates climb amid rising outbreaks and conflict
July 15 (Reuters) - Global childhood vaccination rates rose slightly in 2025, yet millions of children remained unprotected against preventable diseases as conflict, funding cuts and growing outbreaks undermined immunization efforts.
According to the latest immunization estimates released by the World Health Organization and UNICEF on Wednesday, 90% of infants globally, or nearly 116 million, received at least one dose of the diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough vaccine, known as DTP, in 2025,
📰 70 news sources reporting on this story.
Pertussis Outbreak: Australia Faces Record Whooping Cough Cases
Australia experienced an unprecedented surge in pertussis (whooping cough) during 2024–25, with more than 82 000 cases reported, disproportionately affecting children under 14 and concentrated in New South Wales and Queensland. The outbreak reflects a convergence of waning population immunity and declining vaccination coverage below the 95% herd‑immunity threshold, compounded by reduced immune boosting during COVID‑19 restrictions and lower uptake among adults and pregnant women. Early 2026 trends remain concerning, with cases already accumulating and warning signs including infant infections, antibiotic resistance, and sustained transmission, indicating the need for strengthened national vaccination and public health responses.
Source: BEACON - View Full Report
Guam reports pertussis outbreak first since 2015
This event envelope contains reports on pertussis in Guam.
Source: BEACON - View Full Report
Pertussis Outbreak Hits Young Children in Cameroon
This event envelope contains reports on pertussis in Cameroon.
Source: BEACON - View Full Report
Pertussis, Palau
This event envelope contains reports on pertussis in Palau.
Source: BEACON - View Full Report
Honduras Pertussis Outbreak: 91 Cases, Nine Deaths
Honduras is seeing an increase in pertussis cases and infant deaths, with transmission reported across most health regions. This reflects a wider post-pandemic resurgence of whooping cough throughout the Americas, caused by waning immunity and inadequate vaccination coverage.
Source: BEACON - View Full Report
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Expert Resources & References
Trusted information from leading health organizations
CDC
Official guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
View CDC Resources →WHO
Global disease surveillance and guidelines from the World Health Organization
View WHO Resources →Medically Reviewed Content
Disease information on Virus Watcher is reviewed by our Chief Epidemiologist, a former CDC lead analyst for FluSight forecasting. Outbreak data is aggregated from verified sources including BEACON, ProMED, WHO, CDC, and 50+ national health agencies. This information is for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice.
Last reviewed: 2026-07-18
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Pertussis answered by our epidemiology team
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