URGENT UPDATE: Texas is grappling with a severe outbreak of whooping cough, marking an alarming 11-year high as the Texas Department of State Health Services reports over 3,500 confirmed cases so far this year. Tragically, this surge has already claimed two infant lives in Louisiana, underscoring the critical nature of this health crisis.
The spread of whooping cough, also known as the 100-day cough or pertussis, is particularly concerning as it coincides with the festive season, a time when families gather and infectious diseases can spread rapidly. Health officials warn that two highly contagious months are still to come, raising fears of further transmission.
The current outbreak has seen a staggering increase in cases, with numbers ballooning to four times the total of 1,907 cases reported during the same period last year. This year’s count is already ten times higher than the entire total for 2023, as noted in the department’s latest alert issued on November 3.
Dr. Hector Ocaranza, a pediatrician and member of the Texas Medical Association’s Council on Science and Health Promotion, expressed grave concern:
“We practitioners and public health professionals are concerned because we are seeing a year-after-year trend of a significant increase in cases when this is preventable.”
Texas officials attribute the surge to declining vaccination rates, which have left many children vulnerable to infection. Approximately 85% of cases reported this year have affected children, raising alarms among health professionals who emphasize that vaccination is the most effective method to curb this outbreak.
Jason Bowling, an infectious disease specialist at UT Health San Antonio, highlighted the urgency of the situation, stating that parents must feel empowered to protect their newborns during the holiday season. “Oftentimes parents with a newborn infant don’t feel comfortable telling people to wash their hands or not to visit if they have a cough during the holidays, but they need to feel empowered and comfortable to do that right now,” he urged.
Leilani Valdes, chair of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Citizens Medical Center, noted that while spikes in whooping cough cases are not uncommon, the scale of this current outbreak is particularly alarming. “While an increase isn’t completely unexpected, the size of this one is unusual and something public health officials are keeping a close eye on,” she stated.
The situation reflects a troubling nationwide trend, with over 35,000 confirmed cases of whooping cough documented across the United States in 2024, compared to just 7,063 cases in 2023. The impact is being felt beyond Texas, with fatalities reported in South Dakota and Idaho, raising the stakes for public health officials.
As the state braces for what could be an even more severe outbreak in the coming months, health authorities are urging communities to prioritize vaccination and remain vigilant. With the festive season approaching, the potential for increased transmission is high, making immediate action critical.
What Happens Next? Health officials are closely monitoring the situation and expect that case numbers may continue to rise through December. Parents are strongly encouraged to ensure their children are vaccinated and to take preventative measures seriously during family gatherings.
Stay informed and protect your loved ones as Texas confronts this deadly whooping cough crisis.
