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As of early 2025, the United States is witnessing a significant resurgence of whooping cough (pertussis), with preliminary data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reporting 8,485 cases-double the number recorded at the same time last year. This alarming increase has health experts preparing for a challenging year ahead in combating this highly contagious respiratory disease.
Rising Cases and Contributing Factors
The spike in whooping cough cases follows a notable decline during the COVID-19 pandemic, when widespread masking and social distancing measures inadvertently suppressed many infectious diseases. Pertussis, which typically peaks every two to five years, is now resurging as these preventive practices have relaxed.
Experts point to shifting attitudes toward vaccines as a critical factor in the outbreak. U.S. kindergarten vaccination rates dropped last year, and vaccine exemptions among children have reached an all-time high. Dr. Ericka Hayes, Senior Medical Director of Infection Prevention and Control at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, emphasized the impact of growing anti-vaccine sentiment: “When vaccination rates fall below 95%, herd immunity protection is lost, making outbreaks more likely and recovery slower.”
Whooping Cough: Symptoms and Risks
Pertussis spreads through respiratory droplets when infected individuals cough, sneeze, or breathe near others. Early symptoms resemble a common cold, but the hallmark “whooping” cough-a severe, gasping inhalation following a coughing fit-develops as the illness progresses. Antibiotics are effective in treatment, but the disease remains especially dangerous for infants who have not yet completed their vaccination schedule.
Tragically, in the past six months, three young children-a pair of infants in Louisiana and a 5-year-old in Washington state-have died from whooping cough complications.
Vaccination Recommendations and Challenges
The pertussis vaccine is administered in combination with diphtheria and tetanus vaccines (DTaP) at 2, 4, and 6 months of age, with booster doses recommended every 10 years for adults. Vaccination during pregnancy is also advised to protect newborns from early exposure. However, vaccine uptake among pregnant women remains insufficient, according to Dr. Hayes.
Regional Impact and Public Health Response
States like Pennsylvania and Michigan are among those severely affected. Pennsylvania has reported 207 cases so far in 2025, with concentrated outbreaks in populous urban centers such as Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, particularly in middle schools, high schools, and colleges. Michigan has recorded 516 cases this year, primarily among children aged 5 to 17, and is on track to mirror last year’s total of 2,081 cases.
Public health officials warn that vaccination rates vary widely by county, with some schools reporting rates as low as 30%, creating vulnerable pockets where pertussis and other vaccine-preventable diseases can spread rapidly. Michigan’s Chief Medical Executive, Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, highlighted the strain on resources, noting that while pertussis cases are being closely monitored, much of the public health effort is currently focused on managing measles outbreaks.
Conclusion
The resurgence of whooping cough in the U.S. underscores the critical importance of maintaining high vaccination coverage to protect communities, especially the most vulnerable infants. Public health experts urge parents, caregivers, and pregnant women to adhere to vaccination schedules and recommendations to help curb the spread of this preventable disease.
Disclaimer
This article is based on preliminary data and expert commentary from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other public health officials as reported by The Associated Press. Information is subject to change as new data emerges. Readers are encouraged to consult healthcare professionals for personalized medical advice and to follow guidance from official public health sources.
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