Health officials in Texas have issued an urgent alert as cases of whooping cough surge to an 11-year high, a dramatic increase directly linked to falling vaccination rates across the state.
A Dramatic Surge in Cases
The Texas Department of State Health Services has reported a staggering rise in pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough. This year alone, more than 3,500 cases have been recorded, a figure that is approximately four times higher than the number seen at the same point last year. This alarming trend has prompted the department to issue a health alert for the second consecutive year.
This situation in Texas reflects a worrying national pattern. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that pertussis cases have surged across the United States over the last two years. The year 2024 saw roughly six times more cases than were recorded in 2023. While federal reporting has been delayed, the latest numbers show at least 20,939 cases this year.
A Dangerous Illness for the Young
Infectious disease specialists are raising the alarm, noting that this spike is particularly dangerous for infants and children. Jason Bowling, an infectious disease specialist at UT Health San Antonio, emphasised the heightened risk during the holiday season when families gather.
"Oftentimes parents with a newborn infant don't feel comfortable telling people to wash their hands or not to visit if they have a cough during the holidays," Bowling told The Texas Tribune. "But they need to feel empowered and comfortable to do that right now."
Whooping cough is a highly contagious bacterial infection of the respiratory system. It often begins with mild, cold-like symptoms such as a runny nose, sneezing, and a mild cough. After one to two weeks, the cough typically worsens, developing into severe, prolonged coughing fits that can last for weeks or even months.
These intense bouts of coughing can cause vomiting, extreme fatigue, and difficulty breathing. A hallmark sign is a "whooping" sound when the patient gasps for air after a coughing fit. However, in very young babies, this classic sound may be absent, and instead, they may experience dangerous pauses in breathing, making the illness especially perilous for this age group.
The Critical Link to Vaccination
The resurgence of whooping cough coincides with a decline in national vaccination coverage. According to CDC data, the vaccination rate for kindergarteners against pertussis has dropped. For the 2024-2025 school year, the rate stands at 92.1 percent, down from approximately 95 percent before the COVID-19 pandemic.
While early treatment with antibiotics can help reduce the severity of the illness, prevention through vaccination remains the most effective defence. The national picture shows particular hotspots, with data from Epic Research indicating that Nebraska, Idaho, Oregon, and Hawaii currently have the highest pertussis rates, though hospital visits have not yet reached last winter's peak.
