Whooping cough (pertussis) increasing in several states in USA

In Texas, Montana, New Mexico, and North Carolina, there are reports of significant increases in illness due to whooping cough (pertussis). There is increasing evidence that the immunity created by the pertussis vaccine (current 5-dose diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccine series completed before age 7 years in the USA) that has been used since the early 1990s is waning. Travellers are reminded that outbreaks of highly contagious pertussis (whooping cough) can occur anywhere in the world at anytime. Travellers can reduce their risk of exposure to this disease by ensuring that their childhood vaccinations and their current immune status for pertussis are up-to-date prior to travelling.