Yes
Causes. Pertussis, a respiratory illness commonly known as whooping cough, is a very contagious disease caused by a type of bacteria called Bordetella pertussis. These bacteria attach to the cilia (tiny, hair-like extensions) that line part of the upper respiratory system. While pertussis vaccines are the most effective tool we have to prevent this disease, no vaccine is 100% effective. If pertussis is circulating in the community, there is a chance that a fully vaccinated person, of any age, can catch this very contagious disease. Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory infection. Pertussis causes violent coughing which can make it hard to breath. Pertussis affects babies and young children most commonly and most severely.  General Information: Pertussis is a respiratory illness commonly known as whooping cough that is caused by the Bordetella pertussis bacteria. Pertussis is spread from person to person through the air. A person may even catch pertussis by standing close (less than 3 feet away) to an infected person who is coughing or sneezing.  Pertussis, or whooping cough, is an infectious disease caused by bacteria that is found throughout the world. Pertussis was one of the most common causes of childhood deaths prior to the availability of a vaccine. Pertussis is most often spread by contact with respiratory droplets of an infected person. It is a highly communicable disease and can spread to as many as 4 out of 5 close household contacts. Pertussis (Whooping Cough). Pertussis (whooping cough) is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable respiratory disease. Pertussis most commonly affects infants and young children and can be fatal, especially in babies less than 1 year of age. Pertussis is caused by a bacteria found in the mouth, nose and throat of an infected person. The childhood vaccine is called DTaP, and the pertussis booster vaccine for adolescents and adults is called Tdap. All adolescents and adults are encouraged to get one lifetime dose of the booster vaccine. Pertussis is an acute infectious disease caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. In the 20 th century, pertussis was one of the most common childhood diseases and a major cause of childhood mortality in the United States. Before the availability of pertussis vaccine in the 1940s, more than 200,000 cases of pertussis were reported annually. However, since the 1980s there's been an increase in the number of reported cases of pertussis. In 2012, the last peak year, 48,277 cases of pertussis were reported. However, CDC believes that much of the disease goes unrecognized and unreported. Overview 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Pertussis is a highly communicable, vaccine-preventable disease that affects the respiratory tract. The illness is caused by Bordetella pertussis (B. pertussis) bacteria, for which humans are the only known natural reservoir.  Pertussis (Whooping Cough). Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a toxin-mediated disease caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis. Pertussis vaccination reduces the frequency and severity of disease. However, the protective effects of natural pertussis infection and pertussis vaccine wane with time. Unrecognized infections in older children and adults are the most common source of pertussis transmission to infants in the community. Pertussis affects people of all ages, but can be very serious in babies. It can be prevented by immunisation at two, four and six months of age. Booster shots are needed for four-year-olds and teenagers, and adults living or working with small children. Treatment helps control further spread of the infection. 1 Coughing then develops, usually in bouts, followed by a deep gasp (or “whoop”). 2  Sometimes people vomit after coughing. 3  Pertussis can be very serious in small children. 4  They might go blue or stop breathing during coughing attacks and may need to go to the hospital.
http://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/about/causes-transmission.html http://public.health.oregon.gov/DiseasesConditions/CommunicableDisease/Pages/fs-pertussis.aspx http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/infectious-disease/epi/vaccine/pertussis.shtml http://www.scdhec.gov/Health/DiseasesandConditions/InfectiousDiseases/BacterialDiseases/Pertussis/ http://health.mo.gov/living/healthcondiseases/communicable/pertussis/ http://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/clinical/disease-specifics.html http://health.mo.gov/living/healthcondiseases/communicable/communicabledisease/cdmanual/pdf/Pertussis.pdf http://www.kingcounty.gov/healthservices/health/communicable/diseases/pertussis.aspx http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/cdna-songs-pertussis-facts.htm
is pertussis a communicable disease