PAHO calls for strengthened vaccination and surveillance amid the spread of antibiotic-resistant pertussis in the Americas

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has raised alarm over a sharp resurgence of pertussis (whooping cough) in the Americas and the rise of antibiotic-resistant Bordetella pertussis strains. Reported cases surged from 4,139 in 2023 to 43,751 in 2024, with nearly 19,000 cases and 128 deaths already in the first seven months of 2025.

Key challenges include declining vaccination coverage—still below the 95% target—and reduced effectiveness of standard macrolide antibiotics due to genetic mutations, potentially worsened by inappropriate azithromycin use during COVID-19.

PAHO urges countries to:

• Strengthen vaccination programs for children, pregnant women, and health workers

• Expand laboratory and genomic surveillance through networks like ReLAVRA+ and PAHOGen

• Promote the responsible use of antibiotics and rapid outbreak response

These actions are vital to contain resistant pertussis and prevent it from becoming a renewed public health threat.