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Japan has seen a sharp rise in whooping cough cases with the number of patients recorded in the first three months of this year surpassing the entirety of those in 2024.

According to the Japan Institute for Health Security, 4,771 cases of the highly contagious respiratory infection, also known as pertussis, were reported by the end of March; this already exceeds last year's total of 4,054 cases.

Experts are urging heightened caution, particularly for infants, who are at a higher risk for severe complications.

The most affected prefectures include Osaka with 375 cases, followed by Niigata, 357, Tokyo, 330, Okinawa, 289, Hyogo, 274, Fukuoka, 257, and Miyazaki, 239.

Whooping cough, caused by the Bordetella pertussis bacteria, is transmitted through droplets from sneezing and coughing.

While the initial symptoms resemble a common cold, they develop into severe coughing fits that can last for two to three weeks. Most patients recover within an additional two to three weeks.

The number of pertussis cases in Japan topped 10,000 in both 2018 and 2019.

However, cases dropped significantly following the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to heightened hygiene practices and reduced interaction in public spaces.

The current surge is showing signs of trending toward pre-pandemic levels.

INFANTS AT GREATER RISK

Whooping cough can be particularly dangerous for newborns who are the most vulnerable to developing severe complications, including pneumonia and brain disorders.

In some cases, babies may not exhibit typical coughing symptoms, but instead experience life-threatening episodes of apnea, or brief pauses in breathing, seizures and respiratory arrest.

Vaccinations remain the most effective preventive measure. The government recommends four doses of the pertussis vaccine for infants, starting at 2 months and continuing until 18 months of age.

However, immunity from the vaccine can wane over time, and vaccinated individuals can still contract the disease, albeit typically in milder forms.

Commonly prescribed macrolide antibiotics can ease symptoms if taken before the coughing becomes severe.

Although the antibiotics typically have limited effect once the coughing fits have already begun, they can still reduce the risk of transmission to others.

However, there have been increasing reports of antibiotic-resistant strains of whooping cough.

REDUCED IMMUNITY

Experts are concerned about the potential for further spread of the disease, particularly among vulnerable infants.

“The lack of recent pertussis outbreaks has led to reduced immunity in the population, making people more susceptible to infection,” said professor Naruhiko Ishiwada, a specialist in infectious diseases at Chiba University’s Medical Mycology Research Center.

Ishiwada stressed the importance of preventive measures, including frequent handwashing, wearing masks and covering coughs and sneezes.

Parents should ensure that their children receive their first round of vaccinations at 2 months of age and avoid contact with anyone showing symptoms of pertussis.

“If your child develops a persistent or severe cough, seek medical attention promptly," Ishiwada advised.

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