Taiwan is seeing a sharp rise in whooping cough cases, reaching a 10-year high. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported 17 new cases on Tuesday. These bring the total domestic cases to 35, the highest number in a decade.
CDC spokesperson Lo Yi-chun said all new cases come from local transmission. The CDC identified seven family clusters and one school cluster. Children aged 11 to 18 represent 37% of cases. Infants under six months account for 23%. This trend matches whooping cough patterns, as infants lack full vaccination and adolescents’ immunity weakens.
Whooping cough cases have climbed steadily since May. Japan also faces a severe outbreak, reporting more than 30,000 cases this year. That number exceeds seven times the total cases Japan had in 2024.
A northern Taiwan cluster began when a teenage boy developed a cough in late May. After testing positive, his four family members and four classmates also tested positive. Health officials identified 145 contacts and monitor them until July 10.
Another case involved a woman in her 70s who experienced breathing difficulties in late May. She sought treatment in mid-June, and doctors confirmed whooping cough. Two family members living with her also showed symptoms and tested positive. They received medication, and officials monitor six contacts until July 16.
In central Taiwan, a one-month-old baby and his mother form a family cluster. The baby started coughing and vomiting milk in early June. The hospital admitted the infant, who remains stable. Health workers monitor five family members until July 15.
A southern family cluster includes a woman in her 50s with chronic illnesses and her elderly mother. The younger woman’s cough worsened, leading to hospitalization. She improved and left the hospital. Her mother also took medication. Officials monitor three family members until July 24.
Whooping cough poses a severe threat to infants under six months. It can cause pneumonia or encephalitis, with mortality rates between 1% and 3% in unvaccinated babies. Adolescents and adults often show milder symptoms. However, they spread the disease to infants the most.
Taiwan’s vaccination schedule includes five doses against whooping cough. Children receive four doses between two and 18 months. They get a fifth dose before starting elementary school. Health authorities urge parents to vaccinate children promptly. Adolescents aged 11 to 18 should get a booster that also covers tetanus and diphtheria.
In short, the surge in whooping cough cases calls for urgent vaccination and careful monitoring. Protecting vulnerable groups remains the top priority.
