Washington state sees alarming rise in whooping cough cases this year

WASHINGTON STATE — Washington state is experiencing a spike in whooping cough cases with nearly 1,200 reported cases so far this year, that’s up from 51 cases reported this time last year, according to the Washington Department of Health (DOH).

The state health agency is alerting the public about the ‘steep increase’ in pertussis commonly known as whooping cough, a highly contagious bacterial infection. As of early November, DOH says 1,193 cases were reported statewide in 31 of the 39 counties.

The November pertussis data includes 28 hospitalizations, including 12 infants under the age of one, who health experts say are at the highest risk.

“The surge in pertussis cases is a stark reminder of how critical vaccinations are in protecting our most vulnerable, especially infants for whom it can be life-threatening,” said Tao Sheng Kwan-Gett, M.D., pediatrician, and Chief Science Officer at DOH. “To protect babies from whooping cough, people of all ages should get up to date on pertussis vaccination, and anyone with symptoms should see a health care provider to see if testing and antibiotic treatment are needed.”

DOH’s Chief Science Officer says vaccination is the most effective way to prevent severe illness from whooping cough and urges families and caregivers of young children, including infants to ensure they’re whooping cough vaccinations are up to date. Those pregnant are ‘strongly encouraged’ to get the Tdap vaccine which helps to protect newborns.

According to the CDC, adults should get a booster dose of Tdap or Td every 10 years to maintain protection against tetanus and diphtheria.

DOH is closely monitoring the situation and working with local health officials. The state’s Childhood Vaccine Program offers free or low-cost vaccinations for children under 19.

Pertussis (whooping cough) Symptoms, according to the Centers for Disease Control:

• It usually takes 5 to 10 days for symptoms to appear after exposure to the bacteria that cause whooping cough. Sometimes symptoms don’t develop for as long as 3 weeks.
• Appears like a common cold

Whooping cough appears similar to a common cold early on. Healthcare providers often don’t suspect or diagnose it until more severe symptoms appear.

Early symptoms can last for 1 to 2 weeks and usually include:

• Runny or stuffed-up nose
• Low-grade fever (less than 100.4F)
• Mild, occasional cough
• Babies may struggle to breathe

Many babies with whooping cough don’t cough at all. Instead, they may have apnea (life-threatening pauses in breathing). The apnea may cause cyanosis (to turn blue) or they may struggle to breathe.

For some babies, whooping cough may seem like a common cold for the entire illness, not just at the beginning.

Later symptoms:

• Rapid, violent, and uncontrolled coughing fits

One to 2 weeks after the first symptoms start, people may develop paroxysms, known as coughing fits. These coughing fits usually last 1 to 6 weeks but can last for up to 10 weeks. The cough generally gets worse and becomes more common as the illness continues.

Coughing fits can cause people to:

• Make a high-pitched “whoop” when they inhale after a coughing fit
• Vomit during or after coughing fits
• Feel very tired after the fit, but usually seem well in-between fits
• Have difficulty sleeping at night
• Struggle to breathe
• Fracture (break) a rib

Those who get these coughing fits say it’s the worst cough of their lives.

According to the CDC in 2024, reported cases of pertussis increased across the United States.

The agency says that indicates a return to more typical trends. “Preliminary data show that more than five times as many cases have been reported as of week 44, reported on November 2, 2024, compared to the same time in 2023. The number of reported cases this year is higher than what was seen at the same time in 2019, prior to the pandemic.” according to the CDC website.

UW Medicine health experts warned last month during a news conference that a lot of children are “under-vaccinated” particularly by the time they enter kindergarten and they anticipated outbreaks of measles and whooping cough because the vaccine rates in young children they said have been going down significantly since prior to the pandemic.

Chelan, Clark, and Whitman counties are currently seeing the highest pertussis rates per DOH.