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Vaccine Preventable Diseases

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Pertussis (Whooping Cough)

Florida Health

Disease Control

December Key Points

37 Cases
0 new
outbreaks
Average of 3
contacts per case
<1 year olds had
highest incidence
65% cases not up-to-date
or unknown vaccination status
A graph showing a summary of pertussis cases reported by month in 2019 as compared to the previous 5-year average. In December 2019, 37 cases of pertussis were reported, which is above the previous 5-year average.

The number of pertussis cases reported in December increased from the previous month and was above the previous 5-year average. In general, more pertussis cases are reported during the summer months.

A map showing the previous 3-month average pertussis rates per 100,000 population. Counties with one or more cases reported in December are: Broward, Miami-Dade, Duval, Flagler, Hardee, Hillsborough, Lake, Lee, Orange, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, St. Johns, Seminole, Sumter, Volusia. Counties with a rate of 0.1-0.1 per 100,000 population are: Pinellas, Manatee, Lee, Broward, Miami-Dade, Orange, Seminole. Counties with a rate of 0.2-0.5 per 100,000 population are: Leon, Duval, St. Johns, Flagler, Volusia, Putnam, Marion, Lake, Polk, Pasco, Hillsborough, Sarasota, Palm Beach. Counties with a rate of 0.6-1.5 per 100,000 population are: Sumter, Hardee, Okeechobee.

The 37 pertussis cases in November were reported among the 16 counties outlined in black. From October through December 2019 the average county rate has varied throughout the state.

A graph showing a summary of the total number of pertussis cases reported by year with an emphasis on 2019. In total for each year there have been: 713 in 2014; 341 in 2015; 335 in 2016; 358 in 2017; 326 in 2018; and 392 in 2019.

From January 1, 2019 through December 31, 2019, 392 pertussis cases were reported in 42 counties.

Since 2015, the number of pertussis cases reported annually remained stable. Pertussis is cyclic in nature, with peaks in disease every 3–5 years. Pertussis cases last peaked between 2013 and 2014. In 2019, case counts were slightly higher than those seen during non-peak years.

A graph showing a bar graph of total cases compared to household associated cases and outbreak associated cases for December 2019 and the previous 3-month average.

In December, 11 (30%) of 37 total pertussis cases were associated with transmission within households no cases were outbreak-associated. For most pertussis cases, exposure to other known cases is never identified, and they are not able to be linked to outbreaks.

No pertussis outbreaks were reported in December.

So far in 2019, a total of two pertussis outbreaks have been reported, both in school settings.

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