Global Incidence of Pertussis After the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Abstract

Pertussis, or whooping cough, is caused by the Bordetella pertussis bacterium. It induces prolonged cough in all age groups and is a severe, life-threatening disease in young infants. In an online workshop organized by the International Bordetella Society on November 12, 2024, most participating countries reported very low pertussis incidence during and immediately following the COVID-19 pandemic. Since that time, many countries have seen large outbreaks of pertussis, particularly in adolescents. Before the pandemic, several countries, especially those using acellular pertussis vaccine in infants, reported circulating B pertussis isolates that lacked the acellular vaccine antigen pertactin. However, most recent isolates have been found to express this antigen. A rise in macrolide-resistant B pertussis isolates was also reported by several countries. The potential for large outbreaks of pertussis highlights the importance of maintaining or increasing vaccine coverage in pregnancy and in infants and children. The data presented herein suggest a need for new pertussis vaccines that protect against both disease and infection and that reduce transmission.