Travelers to Japan are being warned about a surge in pertussis (whooping cough) cases, with the number of infections reaching a record high for the third consecutive week. The outbreak has also resulted in severe cases, antibiotic-resistant infections, and the tragic death of an infant.
According to the data presented by Japan Institute of Health and Safety (JIHS) yesterday (April 22), 1,222 pertussis cases were reported nationwide during the 15th week of 2025 (April 7–13), marking a nearly 70% increase from the previous week. This is the highest single-week total since 2018.
Among the cases, a one-month-old infant girl in Tokyo succumbed to the disease. Initially, the baby, who had no underlying health conditions, presented with mild coughing symptoms that rapidly worsened. She was hospitalized after being diagnosed with pertussis and developed severe complications, including pneumonia and respiratory failure. Despite being transferred to the medical center and receiving life-saving treatments such as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and dialysis, she passed away on the fifth day of hospitalization. The infant had not yet received the pertussis vaccine, and her mother had no vaccination record during pregnancy.
The Hong Kong Department of Health's Centre for Health Protection (CHP) has issued a reminder that pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is highly contagious and spreads through respiratory droplets. The incubation period ranges from 4 to 21 days.
Early symptoms resemble a mild cold, including a runny nose, sneezing, low-grade fever, and a mild cough, but the cough can gradually worsen, causing difficulty in eating and breathing. Severe cases can lead to lung infections, convulsions, or even coma.
Vaccination is the most effective preventive measure against pertussis, and antibiotics can be used for treatment. Parents are urged to seek immediate medical attention if children experience prolonged fever, persistent coughing, or severe wheezing.
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