Taipei: Taiwan's Centers for Disease Control (CDC) on Saturday urged families traveling to Japan with children to ensure their pertussis (whooping cough) vaccinations are complete, following a significant spike in cases there. Japan reported 3,578 new pertussis cases between June 30 and July 6, marking the highest weekly total since 2018. Tokyo recorded the most cases at 277, followed by Saitama Prefecture with 254, as stated by CDC spokesperson Lo Yi-chun.

According to Focus Taiwan, Japan has logged over 43,000 cases and four infant deaths so far this year. The CDC also noted the emergence of drug-resistant strains. Health officials have attributed the rise in cases to more time spent indoors due to the hot summer heat and increased social activity during the holiday season, both of which may facilitate transmission.

Nearly 60 percent of Japan's cases have occurred in teenagers. Japanese health authorities have pointed out that vaccine protection often diminishes by middle school, prompting a recommendation for a booster at ages 11-12. Taiwan's standard vaccination schedule includes pertussis shots at 2, 4, 6, and 18 months, with a booster administered before elementary school, according to the CDC.

Health officials also recommend a self-paid booster (Tdap) for unvaccinated teens aged 11-18, especially those living with infants or pregnant women. Pertussis, a highly contagious bacterial infection of the respiratory tract, starts with symptoms resembling a cold but can develop into severe coughing fits that may last for weeks.