Whooping Cough cases rose significantly in Washington State last year. In 2023 there were just 87 cases. In 2024 there were 2,261 cases. Vaccination rates decreased from 73% in 2019 to 65% in 2024.
The Department of Health released the numbers in their Annual Pertussis Summary. Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a bacterial disease that can cause cold-like symptoms that can turn into severe coughing spells. It can turn severe in some cases, leading to pneumonia, convulsions, rib fractures, and brain damage. The Health Department says it’s most dangerous for kids under 1 year old. Last year the state reported its first whooping cough-related death since 2011.
If you’ve been exposed to it, symptoms usually start 5 to 21 days after exposure. It’s usually treated with antibiotics, and it’s important to get started as soon as possible, not just for you, but also to keep it from spreading to those around you.
So far this year there have been 1,314 cases reported before June.
