The Return of Whooping Cough: Why This Old Disease Is Surging Again

Whooping cough, a disease many people assumed was long under control, is making a dramatic and unsettling comeback. Across the United States and around the world, health officials are reporting sharp increases in cases, hospitalizations, and school‑based outbreaks. For families, especially those with infants, this resurgence raises urgent questions about risk, prevention, and why a vaccine‑preventable illness is suddenly back in the headlines. Here’s what you need to know about the return of whooping cough — and why it’s spreading faster than expected.

Cases Are Spiking Across the U.S. at Levels Not Seen in Years

Whooping cough cases are rising sharply nationwide, with several states reporting significant increases. Texas recorded 4,120 cases in 2025, the highest number in 66 years, surpassing even the 2013 peak. Public health officials note that the U.S. has returned to pre‑pandemic patterns, with more than 10,000 cases typically reported each year, after an unusual dip during COVID‑19 mitigation measures.

Local outbreaks are also appearing, such as in Washoe County, Nevada, where schools have issued exposure notices following a rise in confirmed cases. These numbers show that whooping cough is no longer a rare illness — it’s a growing public health challenge.

Falling Vaccination Rates Are Fueling the Resurgence

One of the biggest drivers of the surge is declining vaccination coverage, especially among children. Texas health officials report that kindergarten vaccination rates have dropped, contributing directly to the state’s record‑high case counts. Nationally, experts warn that waning immunity and missed routine vaccinations during the pandemic have created pockets of vulnerability.

CBS News reports that outbreaks are rising in states like Texas, Florida, California, and Oregon due to falling vaccination rates and fading immunity. Babies too young to be fully vaccinated face the greatest danger, making community‑level immunity especially important. When vaccination rates fall, whooping cough spreads quickly — and the consequences can be severe.

Immunity Wears Off Faster Than Many People Realize

Even people who were vaccinated as children may not realize that immunity to whooping cough decreases over time. Health experts note that pertussis follows a cyclical pattern driven by waning immunity, meaning outbreaks tend to occur every few years.

The CDC confirms that many cases go unrecognized or unreported, allowing the disease to circulate quietly until a major spike occurs. This creates a perfect storm: adults and teens may unknowingly spread the illness to infants, who are at the highest risk of complications.

Global Trends Show the Same Pattern of Rising Cases

The resurgence isn’t limited to the United States. Australia recently reported more than 57,000 cases in 2024, the highest number since national monitoring began in 1991. Cases there also remained high in 2025, with vaccination rates dropping to a 10‑year low.

Health officials warn that declining childhood immunization is a major factor, mirroring trends seen in the U.S. Australia also saw cases quadruple between 2024 and 2025, prompting urgent warnings to parents. These global patterns reinforce a clear message: when vaccination rates fall, whooping cough returns — and it returns fast.

Infants Face the Highest Risk of Severe Complications

While whooping cough can affect anyone, infants are the most vulnerable. The disease causes violent coughing fits that can lead to breathing problems, pneumonia, and hospitalization. Poynter reports that infants face the greatest danger during current U.S. outbreaks, with some parents reconsidering travel and family visits due to rising case numbers.

Babies too young to be fully vaccinated rely on the immunity of those around them, making community protection essential. As cases rise, pediatricians are urging families to stay alert to symptoms and ensure that caregivers and close contacts are up‑to‑date on recommended vaccinations.

Delayed Public Health Tracking Has Made Outbreaks Harder to Control

Public health officials note that delays in disease tracking systems have contributed to the rapid spread of whooping cough. CBS News reports that delayed reporting and surveillance gaps have made it harder to identify outbreaks early.

The CDC also acknowledges that pertussis is often underreported, meaning the true number of cases is likely higher than official counts. When cases aren’t identified quickly, schools and communities lose valuable time to notify families and prevent further spread. Strengthening public health tracking is becoming a priority as outbreaks grow more frequent.

Pandemic Behavior Changes Temporarily Suppressed the Disease — Now It’s Back

During the height of COVID‑19, masking, remote learning, and reduced social contact dramatically lowered whooping cough transmission. But as those measures faded, pertussis returned to its typical seasonal and cyclical patterns. The CDC notes that the U.S. has now fully reverted to pre‑pandemic levels, with more than 10,000 cases expected annually.

With immunity gaps and lower vaccination rates, the disease is spreading more aggressively than before. This rebound effect helps explain why the current surge feels so sudden — the virus had fewer opportunities to circulate for several years, and now it’s catching up.

What This Surge Means for Families and Communities

The resurgence of whooping cough is a reminder that old diseases can return quickly when immunity drops, and public health systems are strained. Rising cases in the U.S. and abroad show how easily pertussis can spread when vaccination rates fall, immunity wanes, and surveillance systems lag behind. Families — especially those with infants — benefit from staying informed, recognizing symptoms early, and understanding how community‑level protection helps reduce risk. As whooping cough continues to surge, awareness and prevention remain the most effective tools for keeping households safe.

Are you seeing more conversations about whooping cough in your community? Share your experiences and thoughts in the comments.

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Amanda Blankenship

Amanda Blankenship is the Chief Editor for District Media.  With a BA in journalism from Wingate University, she frequently writes for a handful of websites and loves to share her own personal finance story with others. When she isn’t typing away at her desk, she enjoys spending time with her daughter, son, husband, and dog. During her free time, you’re likely to find her with her nose in a book, hiking, or playing RPG video games.