What to know
• Reported cases of people with pertussis, also known as whooping cough, are increasing in the United States, returning to pre-pandemic levels.
Summary
What CDC knows
The number of people reported with whooping cough, also known as pertussis, are rising in the United States. As of June 1 this year, more than double the cases of whooping cough were reported as of this date in 2023. Whooping cough is returning to its more typical pre-pandemic cyclic patterns of more than 10,000 cases a year.
What CDC is doing
CDC is closely tracking the increase in people reported with whooping cough across the United States. CDC launched a new effort to encourage whooping cough vaccination during pregnancy—From Me, To You. Tdap vaccination during pregnancy protects 9 in 10 babies from being hospitalized with whooping cough. In addition to the pregnancy vaccination recommendation, CDC recommends everyone who is old enough be up to date with whooping cough vaccination.
Reported cases of whooping cough are rising
The number of people reported with whooping cough, a bacterial respiratory illness, has been increasing in the United States. According to CDC preliminary data as of June 1, 2024, reported cases are more than twice as high this year compared to the same time period last year. Note that these numbers can change as health departments and CDC finalize the data.
Whooping cough numbers are back to pre-pandemic levels
Reported cases of whooping cough were lower than usual over the past few years, since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s likely that preventative actions used during the pandemic (e.g., good hygiene, distancing) lowered transmission of this disease.
We’re now beginning to return to pre-pandemic levels, where we typically see more than 10,000 cases of people with whooping cough each year. The number of reported cases this year is close to what was seen at the same time in 2019.
Reported whooping cough rates have increased in the United States since the early 1990s. Many factors are likely contributing to this increase, including a change in the type of whooping cough vaccines used.
Other factors that may also be contributing include:
- More awareness about the disease being around
- Availability of better tests to diagnose whooping cough
- Genetic changes to the bacteria
Since protection from whooping cough vaccination decreases over time, those who have been vaccinated can get this infection. As we return to more typical cyclic patterns, CDC expects whooping cough cases to increase both in unvaccinated and vaccinated populations
Whooping cough is very contagious
Whooping cough is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. It’s known for the "whoop" noise when someone gasps for air after a coughing fit that affects about a third of those who get this infection.
People with whooping cough spread the disease by coughing or sneezing while in close contact with others, who then breathe in the bacteria. People with whooping cough are most contagious in the first two weeks after the cough begins. Treating whooping cough early with antibiotics may make the infection less serious. It can also help prevent spreading whooping cough to family, friends, and co-workers.
Because it’s so contagious, antibiotics may also be recommended for people who have been exposed to someone with whooping cough. Antibiotics may prevent whooping cough if given before symptoms start.
Whooping cough can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms at the beginning are often like the common cold and other respiratory illnesses. Whooping cough is often not suspected or diagnosed until the cough becomes severe or long-lasting. Babies and young children may not cough but may have difficulty breathing instead.
Babies are at highest risk of having complications
Babies younger than one year old are at greatest risk of getting whooping cough and developing severe complications. About a third of babies younger than 12 months old who get whooping cough need treatment in a hospital.
According to CDC data, the most common complications for children in this age group who are treated in the hospital are:
- Apnea, life-threatening pauses in breathing (68%)
- Pneumonia (22%)
People at risk for developing a severe infection are those with pre-existing health conditions that may be worsened by whooping cough. Some conditions that could be made worse by whooping cough include immunocompromising conditions and moderate to severe medically treated asthma.
Healthcare Providers
Whooping cough vaccines provide strong protection to those most at risk
Whooping cough vaccines, which also provide protection from diphtheria and tetanus, are the best way to protect against whooping cough and its complications. Babies and children younger than seven years old receive DTaP vaccine, while older children and adults receive Tdap vaccine. CDC recommends whooping cough vaccination for all babies, children, preteens, and adults — and during pregnancy.
Vaccinating women with a Tdap vaccine during every pregnancy is critical for providing the best protection to the youngest of babies. CDC recommends women get Tdap vaccine during the early part of the third trimester of every pregnancy. By doing so, she helps protect her baby from whooping cough in the first few months of life.
Tdap vaccination during pregnancy protects nine in 10 babies from being hospitalized with whooping cough. Getting vaccinated during each pregnancy is the best way to keep babies safe from whooping cough until they’re old enough to get vaccinated themselves.
Adults who have never received Tdap should get a dose of Tdap, and should receive a booster dose at least every 10 years. People with Medicare drug coverage can receive the Tdap vaccination for free because of the Inflation Reduction Act.
