Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals a troubling rise in cases of whooping cough across the United States. In 2025, the nation has reported a staggering 8,077 cases of whooping cough, a significant increase from the 3,847 cases recorded during the same period last year. This bacterial illness, known formally as pertussis, poses a serious threat, particularly to infants who are most vulnerable to its severe effects.
The surge in whooping cough cases is attributed, in part, to the cuts to federal health agencies and funding initiated by the Trump administration. These reductions have destabilized crucial programs responsible for monitoring diseases and promoting vaccination efforts. Notably, two infants in Louisiana have tragically died from whooping cough in the past six months. Additionally, a 5-year-old child in Washington state succumbed to the disease in November, marking the state's first pertussis death since 2011. Reports from the British Medical Journal also indicate two other fatalities in Idaho and North Dakota.
The year 2024 saw the highest number of whooping cough cases in a decade, with the latest figures indicating that the disease continues to spread at an alarming rate. Dr. Paul Offit, an infectious diseases physician at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, warns that the country is regressing in its efforts to prevent child fatalities from preventable diseases. The increase in whooping cough cases coincides with a worsening measles outbreak, both driven by declining childhood vaccination rates.
Whooping cough can affect individuals of any age, but it is particularly perilous for infants due to their smaller and more delicate airways. The illness is characterized by the production of thick mucus in the windpipe, causing severe breathing difficulties. Children suffering from pertussis may experience uncontrollable coughing fits, periods of apnea (stopping breathing), and cyanosis (turning blue). The disease is often referred to as the “100-day cough” because symptoms can linger for months.
Despite the availability of antibiotic treatments for pertussis, their effectiveness diminishes when administered after the initial days of exposure. Early symptoms, such as a runny nose and low-grade fever, can easily be mistaken for the common cold or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Once severe symptoms develop, antibiotics primarily serve to prevent the further spread of the bacteria rather than alleviating the patient's condition. Dr. Singh emphasizes the critical need for timely vaccination to protect children from this potentially deadly illness.
Data from the CDC indicates a decline in vaccination rates against whooping cough since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. In the 2023-2024 school year, the vaccination rate among kindergartners fell to 92.3%, down from 94.9% four years earlier. Moreover, the number of kindergartners receiving vaccine exemptions for medical and non-medical reasons surged by 37%. The pandemic has also fueled a rise in social media disinformation, complicating the decision-making process for families regarding vaccine safety and efficacy.
Dr. Sapna Singh, chief medical officer for Texas Children’s Pediatrics, emphasizes the importance of understanding the challenges parents face amidst mixed messages about vaccinations. She advocates for a compassionate approach, recognizing that parents want the best for their children.
While national and state-level vaccination rates provide a broad overview, they can obscure significant disparities at the local level. For example, in Texas, the measles vaccination rate for seventh-graders in the 2023-2024 school year was above 94%, but in rural Foard County, it plummeted to just over 66%. Some individual schools, such as a private institution in Tarrant County, reported a measles vaccination rate as low as 14%.
Recent funding cuts have adversely impacted public health initiatives aimed at increasing vaccination access and providing information to parents. Adriane Casalotti, chief of government and public affairs at the National Association of County and City Health Officials, notes that these cuts have led to the reduction of services such as mobile clinics and extended immunization hours. As a result, parents face challenges in obtaining the information they need to make informed decisions for their families.
Dr. Offit warns that the combination of funding cuts and declining vaccination rates presents a dire situation for public health in the U.S. He believes that the nation must reach a breaking point, where the tragic loss of children due to preventable diseases prompts action to reverse these dangerous trends. “We’re taking a major step back,” Offit concludes, stressing the urgent need for renewed efforts in disease control and prevention.
