In recent months, two infants in Louisiana have succumbed to pertussis, commonly referred to as whooping cough. Washington state confirmed its first pertussis-related death in over ten years, while Idaho and South Dakota each reported fatalities this year. Oregon experienced two deaths last year, marking its highest case count since 1950.
Despite the national attention on the escalating measles outbreak centered in West Texas, pertussis cases have surged by more than 1,500% nationwide since the recent low in 2021 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Pertussis-related deaths have also increased, reaching 10 last year, compared to an average of two to four in previous years. Current year projections suggest cases may surpass last year’s total.
Health professionals have raised alarms that the measles outbreak, having reached over 600 cases, could signal the onset of more severe outbreaks of preventable diseases, exacerbated by declining vaccination rates and funding cuts to the public health system under the previous administration. Recent analyses of federal kindergarten vaccination data show a significant drop in national rates for four major vaccines, including those covering measles, mumps, rubella, pertussis, diphtheria, tetanus, hepatitis B, and polio, compared to pre-pandemic levels.
Experts warn that as vaccination rates fall, the risk increases not only for diseases like measles but also for whooping cough. Dr. Adam Ratner, a pediatric infectious diseases physician, noted that pertussis cases serve as a significant but less publicized warning.
A decline in vaccination rates has been reported in at least 36 states over the past decade, with states like Wisconsin, Utah, and Alaska experiencing some of the most significant declines. The situation is further complicated by low vaccination rates within specific communities, driving outbreaks even as states report relatively stable overall rates.
Moreover, public health experts have voiced concerns about the detrimental effects of reduced public health staffing and budgets, which may heighten disease risks. The Trump administration’s decision to cut a substantial number of health agency jobs and retract state-level funding has severely impacted the capacity to respond to such outbreaks.
Residents of West Texas, where the measles outbreak has taken hold, remain largely unconcerned. Some express reluctance to vaccinate, citing personal beliefs or underestimating the severity of the disease. Meanwhile, public health officials like Dr. Philip Huang in Dallas County emphasize the importance of maintaining vaccinations, particularly in vulnerable community pockets where lower rates could facilitate disease transmission.
An ongoing legal battle challenges the recent federal cuts, which have already caused significant program and employment disruptions. The CDC and NIH have faced scrutiny for terminating funding for vaccine hesitancy research and downsizing teams essential to vaccination advocacy.
As the country grapples with these public health challenges, there is a consensus among health professionals that reversing the erosion of vaccination programs and public health infrastructure is urgent. Dr. Tao Sheng Kwan-Gett from Washington state noted the pressing need to restore trust in public health measures to protect communities from preventable diseases.
