Overview

• Japan logged 3,353 pertussis cases from June 23 to 29, the highest weekly total since the current reporting system began in 2018.
• Cumulative cases since January have reached 39,672, more than double the previous annual peak recorded in 2019.
• Infectious disease experts have identified antibiotic-resistant Bordetella pertussis strains, complicating standard treatment regimens.
• Elementary and middle school students are at the heart of transmission, heightening the risk of infection for newborns in household settings.
• Authorities are urging parents and caregivers to boost vaccination coverage and adopt strict home hygiene measures to protect vulnerable infants.