The recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates a troubling rise in whooping cough cases across the United States. For the week ending April 12, 2024, there were at least 8,064 reported cases of whooping cough, which marks a significant increase from the 3,835 cases recorded during the same period last year. This alarming trend highlights the urgent need for public awareness and vaccination efforts to combat the disease.
Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, poses a serious risk, particularly to infants and young children. Tragically, several deaths have been reported this year, including a recent case in Washington where a child under the age of five succumbed to the illness—the first such death in the state since 2011. In Louisiana, two infants have lost their lives to whooping cough within the last seven months. Additionally, an adult resident in Idaho died from the disease in February 2025, underscoring the broad impact of this respiratory illness.
According to Chad Neilsen, head of infection control and prevention for Nemours Children's Health in Florida, the United States recorded approximately 35,000 cases of pertussis last year, resulting in around 10 fatalities. If the current pace continues, we could see nearly 70,000 cases this year, potentially making it one of the worst years for whooping cough since 1950, based on CDC data. Alarmingly, cases have been reported in every state across the nation, indicating a widespread public health concern.
One of the primary factors contributing to the surge in whooping cough cases is the decline in vaccination rates. The whooping cough vaccine, introduced in the late 1940s, has drastically reduced the number of cases—by more than 90% compared to the pre-vaccine era when an estimated 200,000 cases were reported annually, resulting in approximately 9,000 child fatalities, according to the CDC.
Currently, two types of vaccines are available to protect against whooping cough: the diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP) vaccine for children under age 7, and the tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) vaccine for individuals aged 7 and older, including adults and pregnant women. Unfortunately, recent data reveals that more than 7% of children aged 6 months to 6 years who developed whooping cough were unvaccinated, a figure significantly higher than any recorded since at least 2021. Furthermore, only 92.3% of kindergarteners were vaccinated against whooping cough during the 2023-24 school year, down from approximately 95% prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Neilsen emphasizes that the decline in vaccination rates is likely a major driver of the recent whooping cough outbreak. He attributes this trend to widespread misinformation about vaccine safety and efficacy, as well as lingering vaccine fatigue resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. To combat this issue, it is crucial to educate the public about the severity of whooping cough and the importance of vaccination.
Whooping cough is a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis. These bacteria attach to the cilia in the upper respiratory system, releasing toxins that damage the cilia and cause swelling in the upper airways. The disease spreads easily from person to person through coughing and sneezing, with infected individuals remaining contagious for weeks, often without realizing they are infected.
Initial symptoms of whooping cough resemble those of a common cold, including a runny nose, cough, and low-grade fever, typically lasting one to two weeks. As the illness progresses, symptoms can worsen, leading to violent coughing fits that may last up to 12 weeks. Infants under one year, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals are at the highest risk of severe illness, but anyone can contract whooping cough.
Fortunately, whooping cough can be treated with antibiotics, and early treatment can help reduce the severity of the infection. Most symptoms can be managed at home, according to the CDC. To improve vaccination rates, Neilsen stresses the importance of informing the public about the seriousness of whooping cough and addressing the concerns of vaccine-hesitant parents. He notes that many people may have forgotten how contagious and potentially life-threatening this disease can be, largely due to the effectiveness of the vaccine over the years.
As we move forward, it is essential to prioritize public health efforts aimed at increasing vaccination rates and educating communities about the risks associated with whooping cough. With the right information and resources, we can protect our most vulnerable populations from this dangerous illness.
