[Spread of whooping cough among adults today].

Epidemiological surveys with the use of the clinical and bacteriological methods of examination were carried out in 107 foci of pertussis in families (283 adults), 25 foci in children's institutions (103 employees) and 1 focus in a surgical department for infants (29 adults). The infection was shown to be widely spread among adults at present: 23.7% in the surveyed families, 10% in children's institutions and 6.9% in the surgical department for infants. In the familiies, 26.2% of the adults were the first to fall ill with pertussis. no essential differences in the terms of the release of the infective agent, as well as in the course of the disease, in adults and in vaccinated children were found. Antiepidemic measures in respect to adult pertussis patients is proposed.