WDH: Whooping cough continues to spread in Wyoming

CHEYENNE (WNE) — Wyoming Department of Health officials are concerned with the continued spread of pertussis (whooping cough) across the state.

Clay Van Houten, infectious disease epidemiology unit manager with WDH, said there have been 30 confirmed pertussis cases in Wyoming so far 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 noted there were 19 reported Wyoming cases in 2024, 0 in 2023 and 2 in 2022.

Actual case numbers are likely higher because many illnesses are not recognized as pertussis and others may not be reported.

Pertussis typically starts with cold-like symptoms and perhaps a mild cough. It 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.

“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 WDH. “Infants are simply more vulnerable and don’t yet have the protection pertussis vaccines offer.”

Harrist said the Tdap adolescent/adult pertussis booster vaccine is especially important for those spending time with new infants such as parents, grandparents and other people who take care of them.

“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,” she said.

This story was published on March 10, 2025.