In 2025, the United States is grappling with a alarming resurgence of whooping cough, also known as pertussis, a highly contagious bacterial respiratory illness.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 8,000 cases have been reported nationwide as of April 2025, more than double the 3,835 cases recorded at the same time in 2024.
This sharp increase, coupled with a troubling decline in vaccination rates, has raised significant concerns among public health experts. The disease, which is particularly dangerous for infants and young children, has already claimed lives in multiple states, underscoring the urgency of addressing this preventable crisis.
Understanding Whooping Cough: A Persistent Threat
Whooping cough is caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis, which spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or breathes closely to others.
The illness is notorious for its severe, uncontrollable coughing fits, often accompanied by a characteristic “whoop” sound as the person struggles to breathe.
Symptoms typically begin like a common cold—runny nose, low-grade fever, and mild cough—but can progress to violent coughing spells that last for weeks or even months.
Key Characteristics of Whooping Cough
- Contagious Nature: Pertussis is highly transmissible, with the CDC estimating that about 80% of unvaccinated individuals exposed to an infected person will contract the disease.
- Severe Complications: The illness is most dangerous for infants under one year, who may experience life-threatening complications such as pneumonia, apnea (pauses in breathing), or even death.
- Long Duration: Known as the “100-day cough,” pertussis can persist for up to 12 weeks, exhausting patients and increasing the risk of complications like cracked ribs or collapsed lungs.
The resurgence of whooping cough is particularly concerning because it is a vaccine-preventable disease.
Vaccines introduced in the late 1940s dramatically reduced cases, dropping annual numbers from an estimated 200,000 to fewer than 10,000 in the pre-vaccine era. However, recent trends indicate a troubling reversal of this progress.
The 2025 Outbreak: A Nationwide Surge
The CDC’s preliminary data for 2025 paints a grim picture: 8,485 cases of whooping cough have been reported, a stark contrast to the 3,835 cases at the same point in 2024.
This doubling of cases follows a significant spike in 2024, when the U.S. recorded 35,435 cases, the highest in a decade.
If current trends continue, 2025 could see nearly 70,000 cases, potentially marking the worst outbreak since 1950.
Regional Hotspots
- Pennsylvania: With 207 cases reported in 2025, the state is seeing outbreaks in densely populated areas like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, particularly among middle and high school students.
- Michigan: The state has reported 516 cases so far in 2025, following a nearly 1,800% increase from 110 cases in 2023 to 2,081 in 2024.
- Washington: Leading the nation with 742 cases in 2025, Washington reported a child’s death from pertussis, the first in the state since 2011.
- Louisiana: Two infants have died in the past six months, highlighting the vulnerability of unvaccinated newborns.
Fatalities and Severe Cases
The human toll of this outbreak is evident in the reported deaths. In addition to the two infants in Louisiana, a 5-year-old in Washington, an adult in Idaho, and a child in South Dakota (from a co-infection with influenza) have succumbed to pertussis-related complications.
These tragedies underscore the disease’s severity, particularly for infants and those with weakened immune systems.
Declining Vaccination Rates: The Root Cause
The surge in whooping cough cases is closely tied to a decline in vaccination rates, a trend that has accelerated since the COVID-19 pandemic. The CDC reports that only 92.3% of U.S. kindergartners were vaccinated against pertussis in the 2023-2024 school year, down from 95% before the pandemic.
Additionally, more than 7% of children aged 6 months to 6 years who contracted pertussis in 2024 were unvaccinated, a significant increase from previous years.
Factors Contributing to Vaccine Hesitancy
- Misinformation: The spread of misinformation about vaccine safety and efficacy, amplified by social media and some public figures, has eroded trust in vaccines.
- Pandemic Disruptions: During the COVID-19 pandemic, many families missed routine vaccinations due to reduced access to healthcare and vaccine fatigue.
- Regional Disparities: Vaccination rates vary widely, with some Michigan schools reporting rates as low as 30%, creating pockets of vulnerability.
- Anti-Vaccine Sentiment: Growing skepticism, partly fueled by figures like Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has complicated efforts to maintain herd immunity.
Vaccine Limitations
The current pertussis vaccines—DTaP for children under 7 and Tdap for older children, adults, and pregnant women—are not as effective as their predecessors. In the 1990s, manufacturers switched to an acellular vaccine to reduce side effects like fevers, but this version offers less robust and shorter-lasting protection.
Research also suggests that the Bordetella pertussis bacteria may have mutated, further reducing vaccine efficacy. Booster shots every 10 years are now recommended, but compliance remains low.
The Impact on Communities and Families
The resurgence of whooping cough is not just a statistical concern—it’s a deeply personal one for affected families. In Michigan, 13-year-old Joe Moor experienced violent coughing fits that disrupted his life for weeks, despite being vaccinated. His case, though relatively mild, highlights the disease’s persistence even among those with some immunity. For unvaccinated infants, the consequences can be far more severe, as seen in the recent deaths in Louisiana.
Vulnerable Populations
- Infants: Babies under one year are at the highest risk due to their immature immune systems and smaller airways, which can become blocked during coughing fits.
- Pregnant Women: Vaccination during pregnancy (Tdap between 27 and 36 weeks) is critical to protect newborns, but uptake remains low.
- Immunocompromised Individuals: Those with weakened immune systems are more likely to develop severe complications like pneumonia.
Community Transmission
Outbreaks are often driven by middle and high school students whose immunity has waned, as well as adults who may not realize they are contagious. This underscores the importance of community-wide vaccination to maintain herd immunity, which requires at least 95% coverage to prevent outbreaks.
Public Health Challenges and Responses
The current outbreak is straining public health systems already stretched thin by budget cuts and competing priorities, such as a simultaneous measles outbreak in West Texas. Federal funding reductions have led to the cancellation of vaccine clinics and reduced outreach efforts, further complicating response efforts.
Strategies to Combat the Outbreak
- Vaccination Campaigns: The CDC recommends a robust vaccination schedule: DTaP at 2, 4, and 6 months, with boosters at 15-18 months, 4-6 years, and 11-12 years, and Tdap for adults every 10 years. Pregnant women should receive Tdap during each pregnancy.
- Public Education: Addressing vaccine hesitancy through clear, science-based communication is critical. Experts urge healthcare providers to engage in empathetic conversations with parents to counter misinformation.
- Surveillance and Testing: Enhanced surveillance and early testing can help identify cases before they spread widely, particularly in high-risk settings like schools and daycare centers.
The Role of Trusted Sources
For accurate information, families are encouraged to consult reputable sources such as the CDC (cdc.gov), the Maine Center for Disease Control, or HealthyChildren.org. These resources provide evidence-based guidance on pertussis prevention and management.
Looking Ahead: A Call to Action
The resurgence of whooping cough in 2025 serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of public health gains. Decades of progress in reducing vaccine-preventable diseases are at risk if vaccination rates continue to decline. The tragic deaths of infants and the suffering of families like the Moors highlight the urgent need for collective action.
Steps for Communities and Individuals
- Stay Up to Date on Vaccines: Ensure children follow the CDC’s vaccination schedule, and adults receive Tdap boosters every 10 years. Pregnant women should prioritize Tdap vaccination to protect newborns.
- Seek Early Testing: If symptoms like persistent coughing develop, consult a healthcare provider promptly for testing and possible antibiotics to limit spread.
- Support Public Health: Advocate for sustained funding for vaccination programs and public health infrastructure to prevent future outbreaks.
The Broader Context
The whooping cough outbreak is part of a larger trend of rising vaccine-preventable diseases, including measles, which has seen over 600 cases in West Texas since January 2025. Declining herd immunity, driven by vaccine hesitancy and systemic challenges, threatens to undo decades of progress.
Conclusion
The surge in whooping cough cases in 2025 is a public health crisis that demands immediate attention. With over 8,000 cases reported and multiple deaths, the stakes are high, particularly for vulnerable infants. Declining vaccination rates, fueled by misinformation and systemic barriers, are at the heart of this resurgence.
By prioritizing vaccination, supporting public health efforts, and seeking accurate information, communities can reverse this troubling trend and protect future generations from preventable diseases. The time to act is now—before more lives are lost to a disease that science has long known how to prevent.
References:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (cdc.gov)
- American Academy of Pediatrics (healthychildren.org)
- Maine Center for Disease Control