Chandigarh, Oct. 31 -- The doctors at the PGIMER found a significant rise in infections among the children in North India, caused by a lesser-known bacterium called "pertussis", that mimics the whooping cough.

"Pertussis", commonly known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory illness that has historically been a major cause of childhood mortality, with fatality rates reaching 10% in the early 20th century. In Asia, pertussis continues to pose a significant public-health burden, particularly in India and China primarily affecting young infants and children.

After a brief decline during the Covid-19 pandemic, cases have sharply rebounded. India recently reported approximately 13.6 million cases, while China's incidence rose...