In the stories of Sonoran families from yesteryear, it’s common to hear about someone who suffered from whooping cough as a child; therefore, it’s curious or surprising that this disease is still present today and that federal health authorities have even issued an epidemiological advisory about it.
The advisory was published on February 26, 2025; This document reports that whooping cough (or pertussis) “is a highly contagious acute respiratory infection caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis, and is transmitted by direct contact with droplets from infected people coughing or sneezing.
This respiratory disease can be prevented by vaccinating pregnant women and infants at two, four, and six months of age; boosters of the hexavalent vaccine (which protects against six diseases) are subsequently administered at 18 months and four years of age.
The importance of pregnant women receiving the TDPA vaccine, which protects them against whooping cough, tetanus, and diphtheria, reports the Ministry of Health, is due to the fact that, at birth, their children are protected for the first two months of life with the inoculation received by the mother; therefore, the first administration of their whooping cough vaccine will be at two months of age.
This potentially fatal disease can be prevented or its effects reduced by through vaccination. Its reappearance on the list of recent diseases is not unique to Mexico; it has occurred in countries with a larger population, including the United States.
It can begin as a cold lasting a week, continue as a very intense cough, like coughing fits, and can end in vomiting or difficulty breathing properly.
In the case of Sonora, health authorities have reported, as of Friday, March 14, that four cases of whooping cough have been confirmed so far this year. All are in infants: three girls and one boy, ranging in age from four years old (one patient), two years old (two boys), and a one-month-old baby.
The Director of Epidemiology for the Ministry of Health in Sonora, Universo Ortiz, specified that the cases in children reported to date are from Hermosillo (2), Guaymas (1), and Cananea (1). Three girls and one boy presented mild symptoms and have already been discharged.
The epidemiologist emphasized the importance of vaccination and booster shots, which are free and part of the basic vaccination program.
How does whooping cough manifest in adults?
Regarding the appearance of this disease in children over four years old and adults, Dr. Ortiz Arballo pointed out that they already have a degree of immunity and that the bacteria that causes whooping cough does not cause as much damage as it might in children. While people can experience coughs, even if they are persistent, they are not as severe as in children ages zero to four.
However, he warned that someone with whooping cough, even if the condition is not as severe, can still infect a child who is not vaccinated or who has not received the inoculation booster.
The public health specialist noted that in 2024, there were 19 cases of whooping cough throughout the year, although no records had yet been made at this time. Therefore, he emphasized the importance of preventing and avoiding diseases and their consequences, as is also the case with measles, where cases have been imported from Texas to Chihuahua and outbreaks have been reported in Mexico.
Basic Preventive Measures for This and Any Disease
For its part, the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) called on the population to reinforce preventive measures to break the chain of whooping cough transmission. This includes basic actions such as frequent handwashing with soap and water, wearing a face mask, avoiding contact with sick people, as well as not sharing breath, toothbrushes, or other personal items, and using proper coughing or sneezing etiquette, that is, doing so into the inner corner of the elbow when bending the arm.
It also recommends cleaning surfaces where newborns are placed, keeping them separate from people with coughs or cold symptoms, and seeking medical attention if symptoms are identified, if infected, or if the disease is suspected.
Source: conectaarizona
