Whooping Cough Cases Surpass Pre-Pandemic Levels: A Growing Concern
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported a concerning trend: over 25,000 cases of whooping cough have been recorded in the United States this year, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. This marks the second consecutive year with an unusually high number of cases.
In 2019, before the pandemic, there were approximately 18,600 cases, a stark contrast to the current situation. The last time cases reached this level was in 2014, according to the CDC. While doctor visits for pertussis are decreasing from their peak last winter, they remain elevated compared to previous years.
Whooping cough, caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis, is highly contagious. It affects the upper respiratory system, leading to coughing fits and swelling in the airways. Infants and young children are particularly vulnerable, with several deaths recorded this year in Louisiana and Washington state.
The illness spreads through coughing and sneezing, and infected individuals can remain contagious for weeks without knowing they are infected. Early symptoms resemble a common cold, but they can progress to severe coughing fits lasting up to 12 weeks.
Treatment with antibiotics is effective, and early intervention can reduce the severity of the infection. Most symptoms can be managed at home, according to the CDC. However, vaccination rates have been declining, with only 92.1% of kindergarteners vaccinated against whooping cough in the 2024-2025 school year, compared to 95% pre-pandemic.
The introduction of the whooping cough vaccine in the late 1940s led to a dramatic decrease in cases, over 90% compared to pre-vaccine era. Before vaccination, an estimated 200,000 cases occurred annually among children, resulting in up to 9,000 child deaths annually.
Two types of vaccines are used today: DTaP for babies and children under 7, and Tdap for older children, adults, and pregnant women. Despite the availability of vaccines, the decline in vaccination rates raises concerns about the potential resurgence of whooping cough.
