South Korea Reports First Whooping Cough Fatality in Infant

South Korea has reported its first fatal case of whooping cough, a highly contagious respiratory illness, involving an infant. According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), an infant under two months old tested positive for whooping cough, or pertussis, in late October and tragically passed away last week as the symptoms worsened.

This marks the first whooping cough-related death since the KDCA began recording cases in 2011. Pertussis primarily affects young children, causing intense coughing fits and difficulty breathing.

The total number of whooping cough cases in South Korea has surged this year, reaching 30,332 as of early November—a drastic rise from the 292 cases reported throughout 2023.

In response, the KDCA has urged pregnant women, family members, caregivers, and healthcare workers to receive vaccinations to help safeguard infants from this disease.