Whooping cough cases rise in Iowa
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If you've got a cough that won't go away, you're not alone — the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is warning about a summer increase in whooping cough, also known as pertussis.
Why it matters: Pertussis is a highly infectious bacterial infection that can leave people coughing for two to three weeks, and in more severe cases, up to three months, according to HHS.
State of play: In Polk County, 19 people were confirmed or pending diagnosis of whooping cough over March, April and May, says Addie Olson, spokesperson for the county health department.
- No one was diagnosed with it during that same period last year.
- Statewide, there were 114 cases of whooping cough from January through April this year, compared to just 14 at this same time in 2024.
How it started: Whooping cough proliferated nationwide in 2024 and that's continued into this year.
- There have been 8,485 cases reported nationally in 2025 as of April, per the AP.
- That's twice as many as this time last year.
Polk County had 95 cases last year, with diagnoses starting in late summer and fall.
- Meanwhile, there were fewer than five annual cases from 2021 to 2023.
Zoom in: Pertussis is a cyclical infection and outbreaks occur every three to five years, Olson says. Last year's outbreak was compounded by an annual decrease in Polk County kids who were up to date on their vaccinations.
- In Polk County public and private schools, 2,682 students were not fully vaccinated in 2020. That rose to 5,516 in 2024.
Yes, but: Adult vaccination rates have gone up statewide. In 2024, 47% of Iowa adults ages 19-64 had received the Tdap vaccine.
- That's a slight increase from 2019, when only 45% of Iowa adults were vaccinated.
What they're saying: The best way to prevent pertussis is being up to date on your vaccines and practicing good hygiene, Olson says.
- If you are diagnosed with it, HHS recommends staying home for 21 days or for five days if you're on an antibiotic treatment.