Cases of whooping cough are nearing record levels in Japan with the emergence of drug-resistant bacteria that are difficult to treat with conventional therapies.

The bacteria are often spread to babies by adults who don’t realize their symptoms are from whooping cough, or who don’t have symptoms at all, said Dr. Schaffner.

Whooping cough bacteria attach to the tiny, hair-like extensions that line part of the upper respiratory system. Whooping cough is a highly contagious illness that spreads throughout the air.

What is whooping cough? Caused by a bacteria called Bordetella pertussis, it infects the lining of your nose, throat and breathing tubes. It causes intense bouts of coughing and trouble breathing ...

Pennsylvania, one of the states hit hardest by the illness last year, has recorded 207 whooping cough cases in 2025. FILE - This 2016 illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and ...

Most folks know it as whooping cough, but the medical name is pertussis. It’s caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis. By the end of September, Michigan reported 520 cases.

This 2016 illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention depicts Bordetella pertussis bacteria, which causes whooping cough, based on electron microscope imagery.

The whooping cough was once suppressed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, its cases are surging again. Here's what to know.

Is Whooping Cough a Virus or Bacteria? Whooping cough, more formally known as pertussis, is a respiratory disease caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis.

FILE - This 2016 illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, based on electron microscope imagery, depicts Bordetella pertussis bacteria, which causes whooping cough.

Cases of whooping cough, also known as pertussis, in 2024 surpassed totals seen in recent years and marked the highest case count since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Washington is among the states reporting the most cases this year, making it advisable for certain groups of people to consider getting an additional shot.