Key points
- Pertussis (whooping cough) is common in the United States, with increases in the number of cases usually occurring every few years.
- Protecting people at highest risk of serious illness is the primary focus during outbreaks.
- Talk to a vaccine provider if you have questions about whooping cough vaccines.
Settings and trends
Whooping cough is an endemic (common) disease in the United States. There are peaks in reported cases of whooping cough every few years.
Increases in incidence of this contagious respiratory illness are frequent. They can occur in many different settings including:
- Schools and childcare centers
- Hospitals
- Large geographic areas
2025 trends
While reported cases of whooping cough have been trending down since a peak in November 2024, cases remain elevated in 2025.
Active Screening
Health departments take the lead in responding to increases in whooping cough transmission. Public health officials may consider active screening for potential whooping cough cases in common settings during times of or in areas with increased transmission. The main goals of active screening are to:
- Reduce exposure to people with whooping cough
- Encourage timely medical evaluation and treatment
- Promote prompt use of preventive antibiotics as appropriate
Protecting those at highest risk of serious illness
During widespread community transmission, public health authorities focus on protecting those at highest risk of serious illness.
Key strategies focus on vaccination and preventive antibiotics for these high-risk groups and people who are around them.
A second goal is to protect all other people from getting whooping cough. CDC recommends whooping cough vaccination for people of all ages.
Resources
Posters, fact sheets, and videos
Communication and print resources about whooping cough
Preventive antibiotic use
For health professionals: Postexposure antimicrobial prophylaxis