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Korean J healthc assoc Infect Control Prev 2024; 29(2): 110-115

Published online December 31, 2024 https://doi.org/10.14192/kjicp.2024.29.2.110

Copyright © Korean Society for Healthcare-associated infection Control and Prevention

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Infection Control and Re-emergence of Pertussis in South Korea

Hyun Joo Jung

Department of Pediatrics, Ajou University School of Medicine, Ajou University Hospital, Suwon, Korea

Correspondence to: Hyun Joo Jung
E-mail: free1109@ajou.ac.kr
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3614-1238

Received: November 19, 2024; Revised: December 5, 2024; Accepted: December 10, 2024

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0).

Abstract

Effective healthcare policies, such as vaccination, decreased the global prevalence of infectious diseases, such as pertussis. However, these diseases have recently re-emerged, posing a serious public health threat. This article discusses the recent pertussis outbreak in Korea, outlining its clinical symptoms and highlighting the relevant diagnostic tools and management strategies to prevent its re-emergence. Incidence of pertussis in South Korea has been increasing since 2015, with over 30,000 cases reported until November 1, 2024, marking the highest number of cases recorded since the 2000s. Although pertussis is fatal in infants, it can be prevented via maternal vaccination. However, in recent years, pertussis vaccination rate during pregnancy has remained at approximately 60%, which is insufficient to prevent neonatal pertussis. Notably, vaccination rates among adolescents and adults are even lower than those among children, leading to the rapid increase in pertussis infection in the post-adolescent and vulnerable populations. Therefore, effective strategies to promote the vaccination of adults, especially pregnant women, are necessary to prevent and control such re-emerging infectious diseases.

Keywords: Pertussis, Whooping cough, Vaccines

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