Illinois health officials issued a warning Monday as whooping cough cases in the state rose to their highest levels in two decades.
According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, October alone saw 408 cases of pertussis, also known as whooping cough, representing the “largest monthly total in 20 years.” The number is more than double the number of cases reported in October 2023, health officials noted.
Preliminary data showed that the state has recorded more than 1,900 confirmed and probable cases of whooping cough so far this year, the highest number since 2012.
The rise in whooping cough rates in Illinois is in line with the national rise, which comes after a sharp decline in cases during the COVID pandemic.
“The rise in pertussis cases following the pandemic is a cause for concern, and IDPH is closely monitoring this increase across the state,” IDPH Director Dr. Samir Vohra said in a statement. Children should be up to date on pertussis vaccinations (DTap for children under 7 years of age or Tdap for older children and adults).”
State health officials sent multiple health alerts to health departments and medical providers across Illinois noting the increase and “urging them to be vigilant about identifying and reporting cases within 24 hours of diagnosis.” Schools have also been notified and issued reminders about vaccination requirements, officials said.
Last week, multiple cases of whooping cough were reported at a Chicago high school.
According to a statement from Chicago Public Schools, at least five cases of whooping cough were recently reported at Lane Tech, located on the city's north side.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 23,000 cases of pertussis have been reported in the United States this year, nearly five times the total number of cases reported in the same time frame between 2023 and 2024.
The CDC says part of the reason for the rise is lax adherence to mitigation measures such as masks, which became more widely used during the pandemic but are now slowly fading.
Symptoms of whooping cough are usually mild early on and include congestion, runny nose, watery eyes, fever, and cough. Once the disease progresses, symptoms worsen, as thick mucus builds up inside the airways and causes uncontrollable coughing, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Coughing spells can cause vomiting, facial flushing, and extreme fatigue.
Infants younger than 12 months who are not vaccinated or those who have not received the vaccine are most at risk of severe complications.
Teenagers and adults usually recover from whooping cough without any lasting effects, but when complications do occur, they usually include side effects from severe coughing, including bruised or cracked ribs, hernias in the abdomen, or broken blood vessels in the eyes.
The rise in whooping cough comes at the same time that health officials have also warned of an unusual increase in bacterial infections caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae.
According to the warning from the CDC, infection rates for the bacteria have been rising since the spring, peaking in August and remaining high since then. But while the spike itself is larger than previous years, what makes this spike unique is the identification of the most impactful cases.
“It's really exciting,” Dr. Sharon Welbel, director of epidemiology and infection control at Cook County Hospital, told NBC Chicago. “A big increase in Mycoplasma pneumoniae from 2023 at this time of year to what's happening this year… but also a really big increase in children ages 2 to 4 years old. So that's new.”
The recent trend represents a shift from previous years, where cases typically appear in school-age children and teens, the CDC noted.
Here's what you should know:
What is whooping cough?
According to the CDC, whooping cough is defined as “a respiratory disease caused by a type of bacteria called Bordetella pertussis,” which is why it is also called whooping cough.
Only found in humans, the bacteria attach to small, hair-like extensions that line part of the upper respiratory tract and then release toxins, causing the bronchial tubes to swell.
How does whooping cough spread?
Whooping cough can spread easily from person to person through the air, according to the CDC.
“When a person with whooping cough sneezes or coughs, they release small particles that have the bacteria in them,” the agency says. “Other people can then inhale the bacteria.”
Those who get whooping cough can spread the disease as soon as symptoms start and up to at least two weeks after the cough starts, according to the CDC.
Symptoms of whooping cough
Symptoms vary depending on the person's age and vaccination status.
Early symptoms usually take five to 10 days after exposure to appear. Some may not appear for three weeks after exposure.
The infection usually begins like a cold, and the following early symptoms are likely to last for one to two weeks:
Runny or congested nose Low-grade fever (less than 100.4°F) Occasional mild cough
However, for children, breathing problems can arise, regardless of whether they are coughing. Many children who get whooping cough need to be hospitalized.
Later symptoms usually include rapid, violent, and uncontrolled coughing spells.
“A week or two after the first symptoms begin, people may have bouts known as coughing fits. These coughing fits usually last one to six weeks but can last up to 10 weeks,” the CDC notes. “The cough generally gets worse and becomes more common as the illness continues.”
Those who experience coughing fits may also:
Make a high-pitched “whoop” sound when inhaling after a coughing fit. Vomiting during or after coughing attacks. Feels very tired after a seizure, but usually seems well between attacks. He has difficulty sleeping at night. He finds it difficult to breathe. Fracture (fracture) of a rib.
“Those who have coughing fits say it is the worst cough of their lives,” the CDC stated.
Those who have been vaccinated may experience milder symptoms.
Some with more serious illness may also experience complications such as pneumonia.
