Whooping cough due to Bordetella parapertussis

**Definition:** A disease of the upper respiratory tract, caused by an infection of the gram-negative bacteria Bordetella parapertussis. This disease typically presents with a mild clinical presentation of paroxysmal cough, inspiratory whoop, and fainting or vomiting after coughing. Transmission is by inhalation of infected respiratory secretions. Confirmation is by identification of Bordetella parapertussis from nasopharyngeal samples or sputum, or detection of antibodies against Bordetella parapertussis.