Dr. Sharon Nachman, Stony Brook Children's Hospital
News — As cases rise nationally, 2 infants die of pertussis in Louisiana.
Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious bacterial infection caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis, and is spread through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It can affect people of all ages but is most common in infants and young children who have not been fully vaccinated. Babies under one year old are at the greatest risk for severe complications.
There were more than cases of whooping cough last year in the US, the highest number in more than a , and — six of them less than 1 year old. There have been about 6,600 cases already in 2025, almost four times the number at this point last year.
Dr. Sharon Nachman, chief of pediatric infectious diseases at Stony Brook Children's Hospital expects cases to continue rising in number nationwide. "This is very worrisome. This means lots of circulating pertussis. Despite the vaccine's safety and effectiveness, vaccination rates have declined. This trend mirrors what has been observed with measles, leading to a resurgence in cases. There are many children who are unvaccinated or undervaccinated."
The telltale sign of whooping cough is intense coughing episodes that can last for several weeks or even months.
Symptoms of whooping cough can include:
Cold-like symptoms initially: Runny nose, mild fever and mild cough can occur for the first one or two weeks.
Severe coughing spells once the infection progresses: Coughing is often followed by a characteristic “whoop” sound as the child gasps for air.
- Vomiting: Forceful coughing can sometimes cause vomiting, especially in infants and young children.
- Fatigue: Extreme fatigue and exhaustion can be caused by the intensity of the coughing episodes.
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