Pertussis in healthcare workers: case report and implications for public health surveillance in Callao, Peru
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.20453/rmh.v37i3.7137Keywords:
whooping cough, health personnel, disease outbreaks, epidemiological surveillanceAbstract
Whooping cough, caused by Bordetella pertussis, is a re-emerging disease that represents a global public health problem despite vaccination programs. In Peru, outbreaks have been reported in several regions; in Callao, high population density and urban mobility increase the risk of transmission. The objective of this report was to describe two cases of whooping cough in personnel from the Mobile Emergency Medical Service (SAMU) Callao and their implications for epidemiological surveillance. Eleven exposed individuals were identified: one confirmed case, one probable case, and nine contacts. The confirmed case—positive for B. pertussis by molecular testing—corresponded to an adult female with a prolonged clinical course and initial misdiagnoses; the second case corresponded to a male with atypical clinical manifestations, identified through epidemiological linkage. Both received multiple antibiotic regimens prior to definitive diagnosis. Control measures were implemented, including post-exposure prophylaxis and contact tracing. This report highlights the importance of clinical suspicion, epidemiological surveillance, biosafety measures, and immunization strategies in first responders to prevent occupational transmission of whooping cough.
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Copyright (c) 2026 William Cassa-Loaiza, Romy Rangel-Raffo, Roberto Espinoza-Atoche, Roxana Correa-Bravo, Jorge Perez-Davila, Cinthya Vásquez-Velásquez
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