URGENT UPDATE: Texas is grappling with a devastating surge in whooping cough, also known as 100-day-cough, which has reached an alarming 11-year high. The Texas Department of State Health Services reports over 3,500 cases this year, with a significant rise expected as the state enters its most contagious months.
Health officials confirm that this year’s total is four times the number of cases reported during the same period last year, and it is ten times higher than the entire count for 2023. Tragically, the outbreak has already led to the deaths of two infants in Louisiana, underlining the urgent need for awareness and vaccination.
The spike in cases coincides with a troubling decline in vaccination rates among children, raising alarms among health experts. Dr. Hector Ocaranza, a pediatrician with the Texas Medical Association, emphasized the preventability of this outbreak, stating, “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.”
The Texas Department of State Health Services issued its latest health alert on November 3, warning that last year more than half of the infections occurred in November and December. This indicates a continuing rise in whooping cough cases, which could further escalate as families gather for the holiday season.
Dr. Jason Bowling, an infectious disease specialist at UT Health San Antonio, cautioned that the festive period heightens the risk of transmission. “Parents with newborns need to feel empowered to ask visitors to wash their hands or refrain from visiting if they have a cough,” he said. This proactive approach is critical as we approach the holidays.
This year’s surge is part of a larger trend, with more than 35,000 confirmed cases of whooping cough reported nationwide in 2024, compared to just 7,063 cases in 2023. Dr. Leilani Valdes, chair of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Citizens Medical Center, noted that while such outbreaks are not entirely unexpected, the scale of this year’s increase is particularly alarming.
In Texas, approximately 85% of this year’s whooping cough infections have affected children, though fortunately, no fatalities have been recorded in the state thus far. The rising numbers highlight the critical need for vaccination and public awareness, especially as we move deeper into the winter months.
With the current trajectory, health officials remain vigilant. They urge parents and caregivers to ensure that children are up-to-date on their vaccinations to prevent further spread. As the state continues to monitor these developments, the community’s response will be essential in combating this highly contagious disease.
Stay tuned for updates as this situation evolves.
