Washington Oregon Whooping Cough Cases Surge 25x 2023-2024

Washington state is facing a significant surge in whooping cough cases, with 2,261 confirmed and probable cases reported in 2024, a 25-fold increase from just 87 cases in 2023. As of May 2025, over 1,300 cases have already been reported, highlighting a continuing upward trend. This rise coincides with a decline in vaccination rates among young children, dropping from 73% in 2019 to 65% in 2024 for those aged 19 to 35 months. Whooping cough, a highly contagious bacterial disease, is especially dangerous for infants under one year old, pregnant people, caregivers, and older adults, potentially causing severe complications and even death, as seen with the first whooping cough-related death in Washington since 2011 reported in 2024. Health officials strongly recommend timely vaccination and early treatment with antibiotics to reduce the spread and severity of the disease. Public health departments in Washington and Oregon are actively monitoring the situation and urging the community to stay updated on vaccinations to protect vulnerable populations.