Pertussis (whooping cough)

Pertussis is spread through respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing. It typically develops in three stages.

1. Early (catarrhal) stage: Mild symptoms similar to a cold (runny nose, mild cough, low fever).
2. Coughing (paroxysmal) stage: Severe coughing fits, often ending in a high-pitched “whoop” sound. Vomiting and fatigue may follow.
3. Recovery (convalescent) stage: Gradual reduction in coughing over weeks.

Infants may not show the classic “whoop” and are at high risk of complications such as pneumonia, seizures, and apnoea.

Pertussis is a notifiable disease in Aotearoa New Zealand. Prompt notification to public health services is essential for initiating contact tracing, protecting vulnerable individuals, and limiting further spread.

Key public health measures include:

• Case isolation: Infected individuals should stay home until they've completed 5 days of antibiotic treatment or have been coughing for 3 weeks if untreated.
• Contact management: Close contacts, especially infants and pregnant people, may require preventive antibiotics.
• Vaccination checks: Ensure all close contacts are up to date with immunisations.

While diagnosis is largely clinical, laboratory testing (such as PCR) can support case confirmation, particularly in early illness. For detailed information on testing procedures and clinical management, see: Te Whatu Ora – Pertussis Clinical Guidance.

Vaccination is the most effective prevention strategy. The National Immunisation Schedule provides pertussis-containing vaccines at:

• Pertussis immunisation is recommended and funded from 13 weeks gestation (optimally from 16 weeks in the second trimester and 2 weeks prior to delivery) in every pregnancy.
• 6 weeks
• 3 months
• 5 months
• 4 years
• 11 years
• Adults are eligible for pertussis-containing vaccines from 45 years (if the individual has not received 4 previous tetanus vaccine doses) and a further dose from 65 years.

Learn more in the Immunisation Handbook pertussis chapter.

For full guidance, refer to the official pertussis section of the Communicable Disease Control Manual: Pertussis – Te Whatu Ora Clinical Guidance.