Cases of whooping cough increasing nationally

SALT LAKE CITY — The number of whooping cough cases across the U.S. this year is much greater than last year. 

There have been over 16,000 cases of whooping this year, four times higher than what we saw in 2023.

Utah is just slightly above average with reported cases of the disease. More is expected to come when winter comes around. That’s according to Utah Department of Health and Human Services Epidemiologist Danielle Timothy. 

Timothy says this outbreak could be influenced by multiple factors.

“People are more aware of the disease, more people are getting testing for the disease than they have in the past, it could also mean… That it’s spread more,” she said. 

She also says one factor could be a country-wide decline in vaccinations. 

“Since the pandemic we have seen a decrease throughout the nation of individuals who are not completing their vacinations,” she said. “Unfortunately that seems the new norm… [we] hope to one day earn individual’s trust once again.” 

Timothy says if you come into contact with someone with whooping cough, talk with your doctor to see if you can get antibiotics, even if you are not experiencing any symptoms.

“An individual can receive antibiotics even if their not symptomatic… What that will do is stop those symptoms from developing,” she said. “If you know if you’re in contact with someone with pertussis, the best thing you can do is speak to your medical provider to see if you are qualified to have antibiotics despite your vaccination status.” 

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