Pertussis epidemiology and demographics

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Yazan Daaboul, M.D.; Aditya Govindavarjhulla, M.B.B.S. [2]; Serge Korjian M.D.

In the United States, the incidence of pertussis is approximately 1.5 to 3.0 per 100,000 individuals, with approximately 5,000 to 7,000 cases reported annually. The incidence of pertussis is thought to be on the rise due to the decline in vaccination rate and diminished herd immunity. Infants and young children < 5 years of age are more commonly infected with pertussis than adults. There is no gender predilection for the development of pertussis. Pertussis-related deaths are rare, but are more common in developing countries, among infants < 6 months of age, and among adult patients with significant co-morbidities.

• In the United States, the incidence of pertussis is approximately 1.5 to 3.0 per 100,000 individuals, with approximately 5,000 to 7,000 cases reported annually.
• Incidence of pertussis has increased steadily since the 1980s despite the availability of vaccination. It is thought that the decline in vaccination rate and diminished herd immunity may, at least in part, be responsible for the rise of the incidence.

• Pertussis is responsible for approximately 20-40 million deaths worldwide.
• The majority of pertussis-related deaths occur in Africa and Southeast Asia.
• Pertussis-related death is rare, but is more common among infants < 6 months of age and among adult patients with significant co-morbidities.

• Pertussis may infect individuals of all age groups.^[1]
• Infants and young children < 5 years of age are more commonly infected with pertussis than adults.^[1]

^{*Total age incidence per 100,000 calculated from 32,861 cases with age reported.
Table adapted from 2014 Final Pertussis Surveillance Report – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.[2]}

• There is no gender predilection for the development of pertussis.^[1]

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