Editorial
Trilochan Mukkur and Peter Ric
Abstract
The rate of mortality in children associated with serious infectious diseases is significantly higher in the developing world and in socioeconomically disadvantaged populations in developed industrialized countries. The reasons underpinning the higher incidence of whooping cough (pertussis) in these populations include overcrowding and poor hygiene, poor coverage with available pertussis containing vaccines and waning immunity following immunisation and infection.