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

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.

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 ...

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.

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.

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

Whooping cough is causing concern in Washington state, with public health officials reporting over 1,000 cases statewide so far in 2025.

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.

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.

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.