Hanam City, Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Lee Hyun-jae) reported that as of the 2nd, there have been 30,332 cases of pertussis (whooping cough), with a nationwide outbreak primarily affecting children and adolescents. The city urged citizens to exercise special caution and strictly adhere to prevention guidelines and personal hygiene practices.
Pertussis is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis, mainly inducing paroxysmal coughing. The disease initially presents symptoms similar to a common cold (runny nose, mild fever, cough), but over time, it is characterized by severe paroxysmal coughing and a distinctive "whooping" sound when taking a deep breath. These symptoms can cause serious complications, especially in infants and the elderly, making early prevention and management essential.
Recently, the first pertussis-related death of an infant under one year old occurred in Korea, increasing the need for caution among high-risk groups. Infants under one year old are at high risk for severe complications, so timely vaccination is essential. To protect infants under one year, it is also very important for adults caring for pregnant women and young children (parents, grandparents, etc.) to receive vaccinations.
The Hanam City Public Health Center recommends a total of six vaccinations for pertussis prevention at the following ages: 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15?18 months, 4?6 years, and 11?12 years.
If there are infants or immunocompromised high-risk individuals in the household, it is important to visit a medical institution immediately for diagnosis if pertussis symptoms appear. Additionally, thoroughly following basic personal hygiene practices such as proper handwashing, cough etiquette, and regular indoor ventilation greatly helps prevent the spread of pertussis.
Park Kang-yong, Director of the Hanam City Public Health Center, emphasized, "It is crucial to strictly follow the vaccination schedule for pertussis and practice handwashing and cough etiquette after going outside. We recommend refraining from attending kindergarten or school if pertussis symptoms are present and promptly seeking medical care."
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