The U.S. confirmed almost 28,000 whooping cough cases in 2025, marking the second year in a row that the number has eclipsed the 25,000 mark. Here is a look at this dangerous infection, why cases are surging, and what treatment options are available.

Whooping Cough Cases Surge in U.S. in 2025

Also known as pertussis or the "100-day cough," whooping cough presents initially with cold-like symptoms. These include a runny nose, a cough, or a fever. The infection can then progress to fits of coughing that persist for weeks or months. The "whoop" sound that comes with the cough in the second phase of the infection is the most distinctive symptom.

The CDC confirmed almost 28,000 cases of whooping cough in 2025. You have to go back to 2014 to find the last time that cases surged that high. That year was an anomaly with 32,971 cases.

The Pan American Health Organization reported that there were 13 deaths blamed on the whooping cough last year. Most of the fatalities were in children under the age of one. This organization said that the rise in pertussis is not unique to the U.S. For example, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported 977,000 cases on a global scale last year.

Health care officials in the U.S. believe that the rise in cases can be traced back to falling vaccination rates paired with the decrease in herd immunity that happened during the COVID-19 pandemic. The CDC recommends the routine use of the diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP) vaccination for all infants and children under the age of 7. The five-dose vaccination series begins at the age of 2 months. Children who complete the five-dose series as recommended are roughly 98% protected from pertussis within the year after the last dose. Approximately 70% of children are still fully protected five years after the last dose.

Teenagers and adults are advised to get a booster shot every 10 years in order to maintain protection. Whooping cough is also prevalent in college dorm settings, as people finish the childhood vaccination series but do not get the booster before heading off to school.

The CDC also recommends that pregnant women stay on top of the vaccine, getting a Tdap booster between 27 and 36 weeks of gestation. This helps the mom to pass along antibodies against pertussis through the placenta and to the baby. These maternal antibodies tend to wane after a few months, necessitating the start of the five-dose series in infants.

The mitigation measures put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic meant that many people were not as exposed to routine pathogens. As a result, the return to shared indoor spaces in recent years may be contributing to the surge in pertussis cases.

Routine Tdap vaccination rates have also fallen since the pandemic. A recent update indicates that the coverage for the first and third doses is at its lowest in two decades.

Symptoms and Treatment for Whooping Cough

While whooping cough may initially present as the common cold, COVID-19, or the flu, its origins are quite different. Whooping cough is caused by bacteria rather than a standard virus. Some people do not realize that they have whooping cough initially since the symptoms mimic a common cold at the onset. It is not until the barking cough develops that they seek medical treatment.

The primary treatment for pertussis is antibiotics. The success rate is much higher if started early in the illness. An infected individual is also less contagious when on antibiotics. Because rapid tests for the illness are hard to come by in most medical settings, many physicians will start a course of antibiotics if they believe that pertussis is the culprit.

Although some cases will resolve on their own, there are times when immediate medical attention is prudent. Serious signs to watch for include shortness of breath or coughing-induced vomiting.

Local health officials in South Carolina sent out an alert on December 29, urging residents to ensure that they are current with their Tdap vaccinations. In addition to whooping cough, the state is also reporting what they call a "concerning uptick" in cases of measles and chickenpox. All of these illnesses can be mitigated through the use of vaccinations

The younger demographics are not the only populations at risk. Older adults with vulnerable immune systems are also more susceptible to the serious consequences of whooping cough. Medical experts continue to preach that vaccination is the best line of defense for not only preventing the transmission of the virus but also minimizing the consequences.

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