Epidemiology and Health

Original Article

Epidemiological features of the 2024 pertussis outbreak in Gyeonggi Province, Korea: Yeon Hwa Chang, Kyujin Chang, Yeong Jun Ju; Epidemiol Health. 2025;47:e2025072. Published online December 13, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2025072

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Abstract

OBJECTIVES
In 2024, Korea experienced a nationwide pertussis epidemic, with Gyeonggi Province accounting for nearly one-third of reported cases. This study investigated the epidemiological characteristics of the outbreak and explored the association between vaccination history and healthcare utilization.

METHODS

We analyzed 14,275 pertussis cases reported in Gyeonggi Province in 2024 using de-identified national surveillance data. Comparisons were performed by age group (<20 vs. ≥20 years) and vaccination status (<20 years). The chi-square and Mann–Whitney <i>U</i> tests were used, and effect sizes were assessed using Cramér’s V.

RESULTS

Of all cases, 89.8% occurred in individuals <20 years, particularly those aged 10-14 years. Children and adolescents were more often involved in clusters and had more identified contacts than adults, whereas adults had higher rates of hospitalization (13.2 vs. 5.9%) and emergency visits (4.4 vs. 0.9%; p<0.001). Among individuals <20 years, hospitalization was more common in the unvaccinated or unknown group (11.7%) than in the fully (5.9%) or partially vaccinated (5.5%) groups (p=0.045).

CONCLUSIONS

The epidemic was concentrated in school-aged populations, particularly adolescents. While vaccination status showed a limited association with healthcare utilization, individuals who were unvaccinated or had an undocumented vaccination history experienced delayed diagnosis and higher care needs. These findings highlight the importance of strengthening adolescent-focused vaccination strategies and preparedness for future pertussis outbreaks.

Summary

Korean summary
2024년 한국의 백일해 유행에 대해 총 인구의 1/4이 거주하는 경기도 유행을 분석한 결과, 학령기 청소년에 집중적으로 발생하였으며 미접종 또는 접종력 불명확일 때 진단 지연 및 더 많은 의료 이용과 연관되었다. 백일해 재유행 예방을 위해서는 청소년에 초점을 맞춘 전략 개선이 필요하다.

Key Message
Analysis of the pertussis epidemic in Gyeonggi Province, home to one quarter of the national population, during the 2024 outbreak in Korea showed that cases were concentrated among school-aged adolescents. Individuals who were unvaccinated or had an undocumented vaccination history experienced delayed diagnosis and higher care needs. Improving adolescent-focused prevention strategies is essential to prevent pertussis re-emergence.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Sudden pertussis outbreaks in Guro-gu, Seoul: epidemiological characteristics and contributing factors in 2024
Woosuk Han, Heejin Kimm, Yeun Soo Yang, Jun Wook Kwon, Euncheol Son
Child Health Nursing Research.2026; 32(2): 203. CrossRef

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