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Whooping cough cases up 58% in Austin-Travis County
Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is on the rise in Austin-Travis County with more than 130 cases so far this year.
AUSTIN, Texas - Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is on the rise in Austin-Travis County.
Public health officials are encouraging parents to vaccinate their children and take precautions.
By the numbers:
As of Nov. 21, Austin-Travis County has seen 154 cases of whooping cough (pertussis) this year. Most of those cases are in schoolchildren.
Thirty-four cases are in children ages 1–6. Ninety of those cases are patients ages 7–19. Last year, there were 85 cases for all of 2024.
The following schools have reported whooping cough cases:
- Austin Achieve MS
- Bridge Point ES
- Austin Achieve ES Northeast
- Linder ES
- Akins Early College HS
- Barton Creek ES
- Marshall MS
- Lamar MS
- Langford ES
- McCallum HS
- Reilly ES
- Blazier ES
"With this rise in whooping cough, we’re seeing the resurgence of a disease that is entirely vaccine-preventable," said Dr. Desmar Walkes, Austin-Travis County Health Authority. "Infants and older adults are especially vulnerable and can become critically ill if they contract pertussis. I urge all parents and caregivers to ensure their children are up-to-date on their vaccinations to help stop further spread, especially as we head into the holidays."
Dig deeper:
"We're seeing a tremendous increase in the number of cases," Dr. Desmar Walkes, medical director of Austin Public Health, said.
Children should get their DTaP shots between 2 months and 6 years old. Preteens and teens can get the Tdap booster. Adults should also get a booster if they're around young kids or seniors.
"This is a vaccine-preventable disease, and we are just seeing that because kids aren't up-to-date on their shots, they're more at risk of getting sick," Walkes said.
Whooping cough starts like a cold with a runny nose, sneezing, coughing, and mild fever. The cough can last for weeks or months. If you're not sure what you have, get tested.
Later symptoms are a worsening cough, a loud "whoop" sound when coughing, vomiting after coughing, difficulty breathing, and coughing worse at night.
A person can be contagious for up to 21 days without antibiotic treatment. You should stay home until you're better.
With the holidays around the corner, make sure to protect your loved ones.
"It's important that you get your vaccinations for things that you can do to protect them, like pertussis, the flu, COVID, and RSV, so that you're not bringing more to the party than the cover dish," Walkes said.
What is pertussis (whooping cough)?
What we know:
Whooping cough is a very contagious illness that affects the lungs and is spread by coughing, says APH.
The illness is caused by a type of bacteria called Bordetella pertussis, according to the CDC. The bacteria attached to the cilia that line part of the upper respiratory system and release toxins, causing damage to cilia and airways to swell up.
It starts like a cold, but the cough can last for weeks or even months.
Without treatment, a person with pertussis can be contagious up to 21 days. Early treatment might prevent serious symptoms from developing.
What are the symptoms, treatment, and risk factors for pertussis (whooping cough)?
Dig deeper:
APH advises parents to take their child to the doctor if their child has been exposed to someone with pertussis and has developed symptoms.
Early symptoms (1-2 weeks)
- Runny nose, sneezing
- Mild fever
- Mild cough
Later symptoms (1-10 weeks)
- A cough that gets worse
- A loud "whoop" sound when coughing
- Vomiting after coughing
- Feeling better between coughing
- Trouble sleeping or coughing worse at night
- Difficulty breathing
Treatment
Doctors can treat pertussis with antibiotics in patients who have tested positive for pertussis and their close contacts.
People diagnosed with pertussis should stay home from school and work until they have taken all of their prescribed antibiotics and spoken with their doctor.
APH is also reminding the public that in order to reduce the spread of illnesses, you and your family should stay home when you are sick, wash your hands often and stay up to date with your vaccinations.
Risk factors
Babies under a year old are at the greatest risk for getting pertussis and having severe complications.
People with pre-existing health conditions could also be at high risk of a severe infection, including immunocompromising conditions and moderate to severe, medically-treated asthma.
How can I prevent my child from getting pertussis (whooping cough)?
VALLEJO, CA - AUGUST 11: Vials of Tdap vaccinations sit on a table during the Solano County health fair August 11, 2010 in Vallejo, California. California medical officials are urging California residents to get booster shots for whooping cough as th …
What you can do:
APH says that vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and others from pertussis.
Children should receive their first DTaP (Diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis) shots from two months through six years of age, and preteens and teens are eligible for a Tdap (tetanus, diptheria and pertussis) booster.
Adults should talk to their healthcare providers about receiving a Tdap booster if they are around those at high risk. Tdap vaccines are also recommended for pregnant people during the 27-36th week of each pregnancy, says the CDC.
DTaP vaccines are for babies and younger children, while Tdap vaccines are for older children and adults.
DTaP and Tdap vaccines are offered at pharmacies, doctors’ offices and Austin Public Health’s Shots for Tots clinics, says APH.
The Source: Information in this report comes from Austin Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.