TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC, 疾管署), the island's primary public health authority, reported two new pertussis cases on Tuesday (April 1) linked to a growing family cluster in southern Taiwan. Health authorities have identified and are actively monitoring 99 individuals who had contact with the infected family members, including the two newly confirmed cases, with surveillance set to continue until April 22. Officials revealed that the latest cases involve the mother and great-grandmother of a 2-month-old infant girl who was previously diagnosed with the highly contagious respiratory disease on March 20. The infant, who began exhibiting symptoms in early March, required hospitalization but has since recovered and was discharged on March 23.
Taiwan has recorded a total of 11 pertussis cases so far this year, marking the highest number in six years and raising concerns among public health officials. This represents a significant increase compared to previous years, when case numbers ranged from zero to just four annually between 2020 and 2024. The CDC highlighted that the rise in Taiwan reflects a broader global uptick in pertussis infections, with neighboring Japan reporting over 3,500 cases this year — their highest level since 2018. In contrast, China has experienced a notable decline in early 2025, with 9,900 cases reported, a substantial decrease from last year's alarming peak of 490,000 infections. Health authorities also noted that other countries across the region and beyond, including Vietnam, South Korea, and the United States, have likewise reported significant pertussis case numbers and concerning trends.
The CDC urged heightened public vigilance regarding the disease, commonly known as whooping cough, noting that early pertussis symptoms often mimic those of a common cold, which can lead to dangerous delays in proper diagnosis and treatment while simultaneously increasing transmission risks within communities. Health officials emphasized that vaccination continues to be the most effective prevention method against this potentially severe bacterial infection. Taiwan's national immunization program currently offers pertussis vaccines for children at specific developmental milestones, and the CDC has issued special recommendations advising that pregnant women and individuals who will be in close contact with infants should consider additional vaccination as a protective measure for vulnerable newborns who are too young to be fully immunized.
