Texas whooping cough cases on the rise
Whooping cough cases in Texas have reached a number that has not been seen in Texas in more than a decade, and medical experts say there is cause for concern.
DALLAS – Whooping cough cases in Texas have reached a number that has not been seen in the state in more than a decade, and medical experts are concerned.
Texas Whooping Cough Cases
By the numbers:
Cases in Texas have reached an 11-year high with about 3,500 cases across the state through October.
About 85 percent of those cases have occurred in children, according to preliminary data from the Department of State Health Services.
Infants under the age of one are at the greatest risk for serious, potentially deadly complications. A third of all babies will be hospitalized if they are infected.
At least two infant deaths have also been linked to the current outbreak.
Whooping cough cases soar in Texas, quadrupling last year’s count
Provisional data shows the state has recorded more than 3,500 whooping cough cases through October 2025. This marks the second year in a row that Texas has seen a high, year-over-year increase in the highly contagious bacterial infection, prompting DSHS to issue a health alert.
What they’re saying:
Medical professionals are worried that colder temperatures in the coming months will make things even worse. They are urging people to get vaccinated.
Dr. Charles Dunlap, a pediatrician with Pediatric Associates of Dallas, believes the increase in cases is a result of declining vaccination rates.
“School-aged children, prior to the pandemic, 95% were vaccinated against whooping cough, pertussis. That number has declined to under 93%. And people may think that is not very much. But that small amount makes a difference in herd immunity,” he said.
What you can do:
Children between the ages of 2 months and 12 years need a series of five vaccinations against pertussis, which is usually given alongside a tetanus shot.
Adults need to receive the vaccination once every 10 years.
Whooping Cough Symptoms
Whooping cough, caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis, starts with symptoms similar to a common cold, but progresses to severe coughing fits that can last for weeks or even months.
The cough can start mild but get worse quickly, often in the middle of the night, making it difficult for a child to breathe.
“Any child with respiratory distress in the middle of the night, we recommend you call us and talk to the nursing staff on call. If you can’t do that, you should go to a pediatric emergency room,” Dr. Dunlap said.
RSV, Flu, & COVID Cases
Dr. Dunlap said his office in Plano is starting to see an uptick in RSV, flu A, and flu B cases as well. But COVID cases have remained flat so far.
The Source: The information in this story comes DSHS officials and Dr. Charles Dunlap, a pediatrician with Pediatric Associates of Dallas.
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