Surge in Whooping Cough Cases Alarms Experts Across the U.S.

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich. — Medical experts are sounding alarms over a dramatic rise in whooping cough cases, also known as pertussis, across the United States. As of April 2025, more than 8,000 cases of the bacterial infection have been reported, more than double the number from the same time last year.

The issue came to light when 13-year-old Joe Moor, who had persistent coughing fits since March, was diagnosed with the illness. Initially, his parents, Kate and Greg Moor, thought Joe had allergies. However, the severity of his cough led them to seek medical help. “It felt like I’d throw up,” Joe said. “Nothing seemed to be working.”

Joe’s diagnosis follows a concerning trend in Michigan, where whooping cough cases have soared from 110 in 2023 to 2,081 in 2024, marking an increase of nearly 1,800%. Experts warn that the sickness can be life-threatening, especially for infants and young children with underdeveloped airways. “They’re fighting for air,” said Dr. Sapna Singh from Texas Children’s Pediatrics.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that complications of whooping cough can include pneumonia and even death, particularly in infants. In the last six months, two infants in Louisiana died due to the condition, raising further alarms among healthcare professionals.

As vaccination rates decline, the rise in cases is becoming increasingly alarming. The proportion of U.S. kindergartners vaccinated against whooping cough has dropped to below 93% from 95% in 2019. This decline is contributing to a higher risk for preventable diseases.

The whooping cough vaccine, first combined with diphtheria and tetanus in the DTP shot in the 1940s, has undergone changes over the decades aimed at reducing side effects. But this has resulted in decreased effectiveness. Experts recommend that children receive booster shots every ten years.

Dr. Molly O’Shea, a spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics, confirmed this troubling trend. “Teens and adults with waning immunity are now contributing to outbreaks,” she said. This rise has been seen following the low infection rates due to pandemic lockdowns. The CDC recorded over 32,000 cases of whooping cough in 2024, up from just over 2,000 in 2021.

Despite having received his pertussis booster, Joe’s case was relatively mild compared to what it could have been. His mother emphasized the importance of vaccination, stating, “I don’t know how it would have manifested if he hadn’t been vaccinated.”

Experts urge parents to ensure their children are vaccinated and to stick to immunization schedules as the best defense against whooping cough.