GILLETTE, Wyo. — The Wyoming Department of Health is warning Wyoming residents that cases of whooping cough, or pertussis, continue to spread.
That’s according to a release from the department, which states that Clay Van Houten, the infectious disease epidemiology manager with the WDH, says there have been 30 confirmed cases of whooping cough in Wyoming this year.
“While roughly two-thirds of the reported cases have been among Sheridan County residents, pertussis has also been identified in eight other counties to date,” Van Houten said.
Van Houten said that there were 19 reported cases in Wyoming in 2024, zero in 2023 and two in 2022.
“The sharp increase in reports we started seeing in late 2024, which has continued through this year’s early months, is significant and is concerning,” Van Houten said.
The release notes that actual case numbers are likely higher because many different types of illnesses present similar symptoms to whooping cough.
“Pertussis typically begins with cold-like symptoms and perhaps a mild cough,” the release states. “Pertussis is often not suspected or diagnosed until a persistent cough with spasms sets in after one to two weeks. Infants and children can cough violently and rapidly with a loud ‘whooping’ sound.”
Whooping cough is especially dangerous for infants and children.
“More than half of infants less than 1 year of age who become ill with pertussis need to be hospitalized and we know, in some cases, it can be deadly for these babies,” said Dr. Alexia Harrist, state health officer and state epidemiologist with the WDH. “Infants are simply more vulnerable and don’t yet have the protection pertussis vaccines offer.”
Harrist emphasized the importance of the Tdap adolescent/adult pertussis booster vaccine. This is especially true for people who spend time with new infants, such as parents and grandparents.
“Also, if you are pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant, you should talk to your doctor about a Tdap vaccine because that can also help protect newborns,” Harrist said.
Harrist recommends that all people stay up to date with their pertussis vaccines, as those who possibly get pertussis after a vaccination are usually less likely to have a severe experience.
“In addition, people should consider seeing a medical professional for antibiotics if they have symptoms consistent with pertussis,” she said.
More information about whooping cough can be found online at health.wyo.gov/publichealth/infectious-disease-epidemiology-unit/disease/pertussis/.
