Dec 24, 2024 - Health

U.S. whooping cough cases hit highest level in a decade

Avery Lotz

This photo illustration shows a disposable syringe with hypodermic needle, PERTUSSIS written on a black board behind. — This photo illustration shows a disposable syringe with hypodermic needle with PERTUSSIS written on a black board behind. Photo Illustration: Frank Bienewald/LightRocket via Getty Images

There have been over 32,000 cases of whooping cough recorded in the U.S. in 2024 so far, the highest annual total in a decade.

The big picture: Experts attribute the spike in part to a return to pre-pandemic levels — but the number of cases on record this year far surpasses the total from 2019.

By the numbers: More than six times as many cases of the bacterial disease have been reported by Dec. 14 as of the same date in 2023.

In 2023, 5,198 cases had been reported as of the same week.
In 2022, the number was even lower at 2,896.
As of Sept. 21, there had been at least 15,661 cases recorded in the U.S. — a figure that more than doubled by mid-December.

Threat level: Infants under 1, whose immune systems are still developing, are at greatest risk for serious disease and death from whooping cough.

This age group has the highest reported rate of pertussis, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
As more typical patterns return following low pandemic-era numbers, the CDC says it expects whooping cough, or pertussis, cases to increase in both unvaccinated and vaccinated groups.

Experts note that while vaccination is the best way to protect against whooping cough, protection from vaccines fades over time.

Between the lines: Lower children's vaccination rates have also ushered in more outbreaks of the disease, Axios' Adriel Bettelheim writes.

Lingering vaccine hesitancy has led to parents opting out of shots for their children, with many citing non-medical religious exemptions.
Experts are working to find solutions to waning immunity among previously vaccinated individuals.

Go deeper: More kindergartners are getting vaccine exemptions

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U.S. whooping cough cases hit highest level in a decade

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