Yucatán’s First Whooping Cough Death in 6 Years Sparks Alarm

Mérida, Mexico — The federal Secretary of Health has confirmed Yucatán’s first whooping cough death of the year, marking the return of the deadly disease to the state after a six-year absence of recorded fatalities. The victim was an unvaccinated infant under one year old, underscoring the risks faced by children who have not completed their immunization schedules.

With this case, Yucatán joins two recent deaths in Campeche amid a troubling national trend: Mexico has now recorded 46 whooping cough fatalities in 2025, surpassing preliminary figures for all of last year. The most alarming development is the rapid spike in deaths—a 24.3% increase in just two weeks, rising from 37 to 46 between March 30 and April 12.

Regional Outbreak Spreads Across Peninsula

The Yucatán Peninsula shows concentrated outbreaks, with Campeche leading at 10 confirmed cases, followed by Yucatán (9) and Quintana Roo (5). While Quintana Roo has reported no whooping cough deaths since 2001, the regional surge has prompted heightened concern among health authorities.

Yucatán also saw probable cases jump from 34 to 42 in the latest monitoring period. Notably, the state led the nation in medical visits for whooping cough during the 15th epidemiological week of 2025, suggesting potential underreporting of infections.

Health Officials Urge Vaccination Push

Authorities emphasize that severe cases and fatalities predominantly affect unvaccinated infants under six months old. The Secretary of Health issued an urgent call for parents to complete childhood immunization schedules and for pregnant women to receive recommended vaccinations.

Preventive measures include maintaining hygiene protocols, avoiding contact with symptomatic individuals, and seeking immediate medical attention for persistent cough, fever, or breathing difficulties.