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Pertussis–the facts

Summary

Whooping cough is a highly contagious disease caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis and is spread by droplets from coughing and sneezing to 70–100% of susceptible household contacts and 50–80% of susceptible school contacts. Susceptible people are those who are either unvaccinated or have waning immunity since childhood vaccines. Whooping cough is particularly serious in infants under 12 months of age, while older children and adults usually have a milder disease.

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Owner:
Epidemiology and Surveillance,
Communicable Disease - Prevention and Control,
Chief Health Officer and Health Protection,
Wellbeing, Integrated Care and Ageing,
Department of Health
50 Lonsdale Street,
Melbourne, Victoria, 3000
Telephone: (61 3) 9096 9000