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Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Pertussis epidemiology and demographics
Introduction
Overview
Overview
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.
Epidemiology and Demographics
Epidemiology and Demographics
Incidence
- 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.
Mortality
- 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.
Age
- 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]
| Age | Number of Cases | Percentage (%) | Age Incidence per 100,000 Individuals |
| < 6 months | 3,330 | 10.1 | 169 |
| 6-11 months | 875 | 2.7 | 44.4 |
| 1-6 years | 6,082 | 18.5 | 25.1 |
| 7-10 years | 5,576 | 16.9 | 34 |
| 11-19 years | 11,159 | 33.8 | 29.6 |
| 20+ years | 58,839 | 17.7 | 2.2 |
| Unknown | 110 | 0.3 | N/A |
| Total | 32,971 | 100 | 10.4* |
*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]
Gender
- There is no gender predilection for the development of pertussis.[1]
References
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Mattoo S, Cherry JD (2005). “Molecular pathogenesis, epidemiology, and clinical manifestations of respiratory infections due to Bordetella pertussis and other Bordetella species”. Clin. Microbiol. Rev. 18 (2): 326–82. doi:10.1128/CMR.18.2.326-382.2005. PMC 1082800. PMID 15831828. Unknown parameter
|month=ignored (help) - ↑ “2014 Final Pertussis Surveillance Report” (PDF). www.cdc.gov. 2014. Retrieved Jan 14, 2016.
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.
