Taiwan has recorded its highest number of whooping cough (pertussis) cases in
a decade for the first half of the year.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), as of mid-June, 35 cases
have been reported, including 17 in June alone.

The surge includes Taiwan's largest school-based outbreak in 12 years, traced
to a household cluster that spread to five students.

The index case—a teenager who had been vaccinated—began showing symptoms in
May but was initially misdiagnosed.

He later tested positive for whooping cough.

Four family members and four classmates were also infected.

Most infections occurred among young people aged 11 to 18 (37%) and infants
under six months (23%)—the two groups most at risk due to either waning
immunity or incomplete vaccination.

The CDC recommends teenagers receive a Tdap booster shot, as vaccine immunity
can wane.

Taiwan offers five free childhood doses of the pertussis vaccine, but the
Tdap booster for teens requires out-of-pocket payment.

(IG)