An infant in Kentucky who was unvaccinated against pertussis, or whooping cough, has died, marking the third death from the deadly bacteria in the state this year. Kentucky had last recorded an infant whooping cough death in 2018.
State officials said Kentucky is seeing the most pertussis activity since 2012 and expects more in the coming weeks. So far this year, Kentucky has reported at least 566 cases.
Many illnesses can be prevented through vaccination, which helps protect not only the individual but also those around them.
“We are deeply saddened to learn of another infant death in Kentucky due to pertussis and are concerned by the volume of cases we are seeing throughout the commonwealth,” Steven Stack, MD, the state secretary of Kentucky’s Cabinet for Health and Family Services, said in a statement. “We continue to urge Kentuckians to get their whooping cough vaccine and to make sure they are up to date on all other recommended immunizations. Many illnesses can be prevented through vaccination, which helps protect not only the individual but also those around them.”
Numbers surge post-pandemic
Nationally, there are more than 25,000 cases of whooping cough reported so far in 2025, according to a new report from ABC news. In 2024, more than 33,000 cases were reported by November. Pertussis cases had dropped significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2019, 18,600 whooping cough cases were reported nationwide. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), however, says that many cases go unrecognized and unreported.
“Reported cases of pertussis have been trending down since a peak in November 2024. However, preliminary case report numbers remain elevated in 2025 compared to immediately before the pandemic,” the CDC said.
Texas has reported the most whooping cough activity this year, with at least 3,500 cases so far in 2025, and two associated deaths among infants. Both Louisiana and Washington state also reported high activity at the beginning of the year.
Experts say falling vaccination rates seen during the pandemic are likely the reason for the increased activity. Infants at 2 months of age and older should receive their initial vaccine (in a series of five) against pertussis, as should pregnant women and infant caregivers.
