Whooping Cough Cases Surge by 1,500%, Raising Alarm Over Infant Deaths and Declining Vaccination Rates

Health experts warn of escalating risks as the U.S. faces a severe outbreak driven by reduced immunization and regional hotspots.

The U.S. has seen a 1,500% increase in whooping cough cases since 2021, with 35,435 cases reported in 2024 and over 7,000 already in 2025.
Two infant deaths in Louisiana over the past six months mark the first fatalities from the disease in the state since 2018, highlighting its severe impact on vulnerable populations.
Declining vaccination rates since the COVID-19 pandemic are driving the resurgence, with fewer children receiving routine immunizations against whooping cough and other preventable diseases.
Texas and Louisiana are among the states experiencing significant outbreaks, with health officials closely monitoring regional clusters and rising complications in infants.
Experts emphasize the importance of vaccination as the primary defense against whooping cough, which poses life-threatening risks to babies, including pneumonia and respiratory failure.