Whooping Cough in the U.S 2025
The United States is experiencing a significant surge in whooping cough cases during 2025, marking one of the most concerning public health trends in recent years. The 35,435 cases reported in 2024 represent a dramatic increase from the 7,063 cases recorded in 2023, indicating a five-fold increase that has health officials nationwide on high alert. This respiratory infection, caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis, continues to pose serious health risks, particularly to infants and young children who are most vulnerable to severe complications.
Preliminary case reports remain elevated in 2025 compared to immediately before the pandemic, with cases continuing to rise despite trending down from a peak in November 2024. The resurgence of whooping cough represents a critical public health challenge that requires immediate attention from healthcare providers, parents, and communities across the nation. Understanding the current statistics and trends is essential for implementing effective prevention strategies and protecting the most vulnerable populations from this highly contagious disease.
Interesting Facts About Whooping Cough in the U.S. 2025
| Whooping Cough Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Disease Classification | Highly contagious bacterial respiratory infection caused by Bordetella pertussis |
| Characteristic Symptom | Distinctive “whooping” sound when breathing in after violent coughing fits |
| Incubation Period | 5 to 21 days after exposure before symptoms appear |
| Most Vulnerable Group | Infants under 6 months with highest hospitalization rates at 33.4% |
| Transmission Method | Airborne droplets from coughing or sneezing |
| Vaccine Effectiveness | DTaP vaccine provides protection but immunity wanes over time |
| Seasonal Pattern | No distinct seasonal pattern, but cases may increase in summer and fall |
| Global Impact | One of the leading causes of vaccine-preventable deaths worldwide |
| Alternative Names | Pertussis, “100-day cough” |
| Complications | Pneumonia (most common), broken ribs, brain damage, death |
Whooping cough, also known as pertussis or the “100-day cough,” remains a persistent public health concern in the United States despite being vaccine-preventable. Caused by the Bordetella pertussis bacterium, this highly contagious respiratory infection is best known for its violent coughing fits followed by a distinct “whooping” sound when the patient breathes in. With an incubation period of 5 to 21 days, the disease can spread rapidly through airborne droplets, especially in environments like schools and households. Infants under 6 months are particularly at risk, with hospitalization rates reaching 33.4%, often due to severe complications such as pneumonia, broken ribs, or even brain damage and death.
While the DTaP vaccine provides strong protection against whooping cough, immunity tends to wane over time, making booster doses critical for adolescents and adults, especially those in close contact with infants. Unlike many respiratory illnesses, whooping cough does not follow a strict seasonal pattern, though some increases are noted in summer and fall. On a global scale, pertussis remains one of the leading causes of vaccine-preventable deaths, highlighting the importance of sustained immunization efforts and public awareness. The ongoing challenge lies in maintaining high vaccination coverage and timely diagnosis, especially since early symptoms can mimic a common cold before progressing to more severe respiratory distress.
Whooping Cough Case Statistics in the U.S. 2024-2025
| Year | Total Cases | Incidence Rate (per 100,000) | Deaths | Percentage Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 7,063 | 2.1 | 8 | Baseline |
| 2024 | 35,435 | 10.6 | 10 | +402% |
| 2025 (through April) | 8,485 | 2.5 | TBD | +20% vs 2024 same period |
The 2024 surveillance data reveals a staggering 35,435 reported cases of whooping cough across the United States, representing a national incidence rate of 10.6 cases per 100,000 population. This dramatic increase from the previous year demonstrates the severity of the current outbreak and underscores the urgent need for enhanced vaccination efforts and public health interventions.
Preliminary data for 2025 shows 8,485 cases have already been reported through April, indicating that the outbreak continues to pose a significant threat to public health. The mortality data shows 10 confirmed deaths in 2024, with 6 deaths among infants under 1 year and 4 deaths in individuals over 1 year, highlighting the particular vulnerability of the youngest population groups. The case fatality rate remains relatively low but increases dramatically among unvaccinated infants, making prevention through vaccination programs critically important for protecting community health.
Age-Specific Whooping Cough Cases in the U.S. 2024
| Age Group | Number of Cases | Percentage of Total | Incidence Rate (per 100,000) | Hospitalization Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| < 6 months | 1,573 | 4.4% | 85.4 | 33.4% |
| 6-11 months | 1,150 | 3.2% | 62.4 | 11.2% |
| 1-6 years | 6,539 | 18.5% | 28.7 | 3.5% |
| 7-10 years | 4,945 | 14.0% | 30.7 | 1.4% |
| 11-19 years | 15,194 | 42.9% | 39.5 | 1.1% |
| 20+ years | 6,026 | 17.0% | 2.4 | 10.3% |
The age distribution of whooping cough cases reveals that adolescents aged 11-19 years represent the largest group with 15,194 cases (42.9% of total cases), followed by children aged 1-6 years with 6,539 cases (18.5%). This pattern reflects the waning immunity from childhood vaccinations and the critical need for booster doses during adolescence.
The hospitalization data presents a concerning picture, with infants under 6 months showing the highest hospitalization rate at 33.4%, despite representing only 4.4% of total cases. This disparity emphasizes the severe impact of whooping cough on the youngest and most vulnerable population. The relatively high hospitalization rate among adults aged 20+ years (10.3%) also indicates that whooping cough can cause serious complications across all age groups, particularly among those whose immunity has waned significantly over time.
State-by-State Whooping Cough Cases in the U.S. 2024
| State | Total Cases | Incidence Rate (per 100,000) | Rank by Cases |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | 2,889 | 22.27 | 1 |
| Wisconsin | 2,647 | 44.92 | 2 |
| Illinois | 2,304 | 18.31 | 3 |
| Washington | 2,029 | 26.06 | 4 |
| Minnesota | 1,895 | 33.15 | 5 |
| California | 1,775 | 4.55 | 6 |
| New York | 1,735 | 15.30 | 7 |
| Ohio | 1,708 | 14.53 | 8 |
| Michigan | 1,683 | 16.77 | 9 |
| Texas | 1,156 | 3.85 | 10 |
Pennsylvania leads all states with 2,889 cases and an incidence rate of 22.27 per 100,000 population, followed by Wisconsin with 2,647 cases but a much higher incidence rate of 44.92 per 100,000. The disparity between raw case numbers and incidence rates reveals important regional differences in disease burden and transmission patterns.
The geographic distribution shows significant clustering in certain regions, with Alaska reporting the highest incidence rate at 81.11 per 100,000 population despite having only 595 cases, while Idaho shows 54.10 per 100,000 with 1,049 cases. This geographic variation suggests that local factors such as vaccination coverage, population density, and outbreak response measures significantly influence disease transmission. States with lower population densities but higher incidence rates may face particular challenges in implementing effective public health interventions due to resource limitations and geographic barriers to healthcare access.
Vaccination Status Among Whooping Cough Cases in the U.S. 2024
| Age Group | Unknown Status | Unvaccinated | Undervaccinated (1-2 doses) | Completed Primary Series (3+ doses) | Total Cases |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6-11 months | 774 (67.3%) | 84 (7.3%) | 103 (9.0%) | 189 (16.4%) | 1,150 |
| 1-4 years | 2,992 (62.3%) | 370 (7.7%) | 212 (4.4%) | 1,232 (25.6%) | 4,806 |
| 5-6 years | 978 (56.4%) | 118 (6.8%) | 65 (3.8%) | 572 (33.0%) | 1,733 |
| Total | 4,744 (61.7%) | 572 (7.4%) | 380 (4.9%) | 1,993 (25.9%) | 7,689 |
Among children aged 6 months through 6 years who contracted whooping cough, 61.7% had unknown vaccination status, while 25.9% had completed their primary DTaP vaccine series. This data reveals significant gaps in vaccination record-keeping and highlights the challenge of assessing vaccine effectiveness during outbreak investigations.
The vaccination data shows that even children who completed their primary vaccine series can contract whooping cough, with 1,993 cases (25.9%) occurring in fully vaccinated children. This phenomenon reflects the natural waning of vaccine-induced immunity over time and emphasizes the importance of maintaining high vaccination coverage in communities to achieve herd immunity. The relatively small percentage of completely unvaccinated children (7.4%) contracting the disease demonstrates the continued effectiveness of vaccination programs, while also highlighting that unvaccinated individuals remain at significantly higher risk for severe complications and hospitalization.
Whooping Cough Mortality Trends in the U.S. 2024-2025
| Year | Total Deaths | Infant Deaths (<1 year) | Deaths (>1 year) | Case Fatality Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 10 | 8 | 2 | 0.05% |
| 2023 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 0.11% |
| 2024 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 0.03% |
| 2025 (projected) | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
The 2024 mortality data shows 10 confirmed deaths from whooping cough, with 6 deaths occurring in infants under 1 year and 4 deaths in individuals over 1 year. While the overall case fatality rate remains low at 0.03%, the concentration of deaths among infants underscores the critical importance of maternal vaccination during pregnancy and early infant immunization schedules.
The U.S. has recorded the most whooping cough deaths since 2017, with pertussis cases continuing to rise again after a dip following the winter holidays. The mortality trends reflect both the increased number of cases and the particular vulnerability of specific age groups. The fact that 60% of deaths in 2024 occurred in infants under 1 year demonstrates the urgent need for enhanced protection strategies for this vulnerable population, including improved maternal vaccination rates and cocooning strategies to protect newborns from exposure to the disease.
Vaccination Coverage Rates in the U.S. 2024-2025
| Age Group | Vaccine Type | Coverage Rate | Previous Year | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kindergartners | DTaP | 92.3% | 94.9% (2019-2020) | -2.6% |
| Children 24 months | 4+ DTaP doses | 80.4% | 83.2% (2016) | -2.8% |
| Adolescents 13-17 years | Tdap | 90.2% | 91.8% (2018) | -1.6% |
| Adults 18+ | Tdap (last 10 years) | 43.6% | 45.2% (2019) | -1.6% |
Vaccination rates against whooping cough have declined since the coronavirus pandemic, with kindergarten vaccination rates falling to 92.3 percent in 2023-2024 from 94.9 percent four years earlier. This decline in vaccination coverage represents a significant public health concern and likely contributes to the increased susceptibility of communities to whooping cough outbreaks.
The vaccination coverage data reveals concerning trends across all age groups, with only 43.6% of adults aged 18 and older having received a pertussis vaccination (Tdap) in the last 10 years. This low adult vaccination rate creates significant gaps in community immunity and increases the risk of transmission to vulnerable populations, particularly infants who are too young to be fully vaccinated. The declining vaccination rates underscore the need for renewed public health efforts to educate communities about the importance of maintaining high vaccination coverage to prevent outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases like whooping cough.
Regional Outbreak Patterns in the U.S. 2024-2025
| Region | States with Highest Incidence | Outbreak Status | Key Characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pacific Northwest | Washington, Oregon, Idaho | Active | High transmission in schools |
| Midwest | Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois | Active | Community-wide spread |
| Northeast | Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts | Active | Urban and suburban clusters |
| Mountain West | Alaska, Idaho, Montana | Active | Rural community outbreaks |
| Southwest | California, Arizona, Colorado | Moderate | Localized clusters |
Washington state experienced a 25-fold increase in whooping cough cases in 2024 compared to the previous year, with the state reporting its first whooping cough-related death since 2011. This dramatic increase in the Pacific Northwest region highlights how quickly whooping cough can spread in communities with declining vaccination rates.
The regional outbreak patterns reveal distinct geographic clustering, with Alaska showing the highest incidence rate at 81.11 per 100,000 population, followed by Wisconsin at 44.92 per 100,000. These regional differences likely reflect variations in vaccination coverage, population density, and local public health response capabilities. The concentration of outbreaks in certain regions emphasizes the importance of targeted interventions and enhanced surveillance in areas experiencing high transmission rates, while also highlighting the need for coordinated regional responses to prevent the spread of disease across state borders.
Public Health Response and Prevention Strategies in the U.S. 2025
The unprecedented surge in whooping cough cases has prompted comprehensive public health responses across multiple levels of government and healthcare systems. CDC recommends whooping cough vaccination for people of all ages, with healthcare providers advised to see patients with whooping cough symptoms promptly. The response strategy focuses on enhancing surveillance, improving vaccination coverage, and implementing targeted outbreak control measures in affected communities.
Public health officials are considering active screening for potential whooping cough cases in common settings during outbreaks, with the main goals focusing on case identification and contact tracing. The coordinated response includes enhanced laboratory testing capabilities, improved reporting systems, and strengthened communication between healthcare providers and public health authorities. These efforts are particularly important given the disease’s ability to spread rapidly in community settings and the potential for severe complications among vulnerable populations, especially infants and young children who may not have completed their vaccination series.
Disclaimer: The data research report we present here is based on information found from various sources. We are not liable for any financial loss, errors, or damages of any kind that may result from the use of the information herein. We acknowledge that though we try to report accurately, we cannot verify the absolute facts of everything that has been represented.
