Global Pertussis Cases and Deaths Rise Post-Pandemic
A new study reveals 18.9 million cases and 115,000 deaths were attributed to pertussis worldwide in 2023.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Diseases — General
Live Poll
Are global public health efforts successfully keeping vaccine-preventable diseases under control?
Global pertussis activity has surged since 2020, with researchers estimating 18.9 million infections and 115,000 deaths occurred in 2023. While long-term trends show a significant decline since 1990, the latest data indicates incidence and mortality levels have returned to their 2019 baseline.
Why it matters
The post-pandemic rebound in pertussis highlights the critical nature of maintaining vaccination coverage and public health interventions to protect vulnerable populations. Infants remain at the highest risk, particularly in regions where healthcare access is limited.
A global disease burden study across 204 countries found 18.9 million cases and 115,000 deaths in 2023, representing a 66.1% increase in mortality since 2020. Sub-Saharan Africa faced a disproportionate burden, accounting for 65% of all global deaths.
The details
The analysis indicates that while age-standardized incidence and death rates dropped by 41.6% and 61.2% respectively since 1990, recent years have seen a sharp increase in cases. The mortality risk for infants under 6 months reached 45.7 per 100,000 globally, rising to 92.1 per 100,000 within sub-Saharan Africa.
Timeline
1990 served as the baseline for long-term incidence and mortality trend comparisons.
2019 provided the pre-pandemic incidence level for comparing 2023 outcomes.
2020 acted as the baseline for measuring the recent rise in pertussis cases.
2023 was the focal year for the global study on pertussis disease burden.
The Big Picture
The Global Burden of Disease 2023 study provides the standardized framework used to track worldwide health trends across disparate regions. This story utilizes those metrics to quantify the recent resurgence of pertussis against long-term historical health data.
The study underscores the continued importance of infant immunization schedules to mitigate the high mortality risks associated with pertussis. Families should consult local healthcare providers to ensure that vaccination status for all household members is up to date.
The takeaway
Maintaining robust vaccination programs is essential for preventing the return of preventable diseases like pertussis to pre-pandemic levels. Parents and caregivers should prioritize timely childhood vaccinations to protect infants from the highest risks of severe illness.
Further reading
For more context on ongoing international health trends, visit the Diseases — General section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Umn.
Live Poll
Are global public health efforts successfully keeping vaccine-preventable diseases under control?
