History of Whooping cough in Timeline

Whooping cough, or pertussis, is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable bacterial disease also known as the "100-day cough". It begins with cold-like symptoms (runny nose, fever, mild cough) before progressing to severe coughing fits that can last for months. A characteristic "whoop" sound may occur when breathing in after a coughing fit. The intense coughing can lead to fatigue, vomiting, and even rib fractures. Infants may experience periods of not breathing instead of coughing. Symptoms may be milder in vaccinated individuals. The incubation period is usually one week to ten days.

1906: Discovery of Bordetella pertussis

In 1906, Jules Bordet and Octave Gengou discovered Bordetella pertussis, the bacterium that causes whooping cough. The bacterium was subsequently named Bordetella pertussis in honor of Jules Bordet.

1906: Discovery of the Bacterium

In 1906, the bacterium that causes pertussis was discovered.

1912: First Inactivated Whole-Cell Vaccine

In 1912, Jules Bordet and Octave Gengou developed the first inactivated whole-cell vaccine for pertussis.

1913: Early Vaccine Development

In 1913, other researchers continued the work to develop the first inactivated whole-cell vaccine for pertussis.

1914: Early Vaccine Development

In 1914, other researchers continued the work to develop the first inactivated whole-cell vaccine for pertussis.

1925: Thorvald Madsen's Vaccine Testing

In 1925, Danish physician Thorvald Madsen was the first to test a whole-cell vaccine on a wide scale to control outbreaks in the Faroe Islands, however, two children died shortly after receiving the vaccine.

1932: Leila Denmark's Study Begins

In 1932, an outbreak of whooping cough in Atlanta, Georgia, prompted pediatrician Leila Denmark to begin her study of the disease.

1942: First DTP Combination Vaccine

In 1942, American scientists Grace Eldering, Loney Gordon, and Pearl Kendrick combined the whole-cell pertussis vaccine with diphtheria and tetanus toxoids to generate the first DTP combination vaccine.

1965: Pertussis incidence in the U.S.

Between 1965 and 2003, the incidence of pertussis in the U.S. was fewer than 10,000 cases per year.

1981: Acellular Vaccine in Japan

In 1981, Japanese scientist Yuji Sato's acellular pertussis vaccine, consisting of purified haemagglutinins, was used in Japan.

1990: Whooping cough deaths

In 1990, there were 138,000 deaths caused by pertussis worldwide.

2002: Vaccine Impact

In 2002, it was estimated that the pertussis vaccine saved half a million lives.

2003: Pertussis incidence in the U.S.

Between 1965 and 2003, the incidence of pertussis in the U.S. was fewer than 10,000 cases per year.

2005: Study on Infection-Acquired Immunity

A 2005 study estimated that the duration of infection-acquired immunity for pertussis ranges from 7 to 20 years, while protective immunity after vaccination wanes after 4–12 years.