"So, countrywide and in Tucson, we are seeing more pertussis across the board." The number of adults who have received the federally recommended whooping-cough booster remains low. Elliott says it's ... A devastating respiratory infection once thought to be primarily a childhood concern is making an alarming comeback among adults, catching the medical community and patients completely off guard.

Understanding the Context

The county has reported 15 cases of pertussis this year. In 2024, Whatcom County had 189 cases, the fourth-highest in the state. As measles cases continue to crop up across the U.S., so too are cases of another highly contagious disease. Whooping cough, known clinically as pertussis, has caused the death of at least five, ...

Key Insights

Many countries, including the U.S., recommend that women receive one dose of pertussis vaccine between the 27th and 36th week of every pregnancy to protect their babies. Infants younger than 6 weeks ... What is Pertussis? Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a highly infectious disease that affects the respiratory tract. It is caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis.

Final Thoughts

Following a period of reduced pertussis activity during 2020–2021, South Africa experienced a marked resurgence in 2022 and 2023. Case numbers declined through 2024 but have shown a gradual increase during 2025. Figure 1: Number of laboratory-confirmed pertussis cases reported through the Notifiable Medical Conditions (NMC) surveillance system, by province, South Africa, 2018–2025.