Florida reports a more than 200% increase in pertussis so far in 2025
Outbreak News Today reports:
“ Florida health officials report a significant increase in pertussis, or whooping cough cases through the first nine months of 2025.
From the beginning of the year through September 27, 1,295 total cases (1,068 confirmed and 227 probable), an increase of 217 percent compared to the same period in 2024 (409).
Miami-Dade County has seen the most cases with 137, followed by Lee County (108), Polk County (82) and Pinellas County (77).
813 of the total cases (63%) were reported in children nine years of age and younger.
Pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory disease that causes uncontrollable, violent coughs that make it hard to breathe. It most commonly affects infants and young children and can be fatal, especially in babies under 1 year old.
Pertussis is transmitted person-to-person through respiratory droplets or contact with airborne droplets. Patients are considered infectious from the onset of symptoms until three weeks after the start of high-pitched coughing fits, or until completing five days of antibiotics. Recommended treatment includes antibiotics within three weeks of cough onset in people 1 year of age and older, and within six weeks of cough onset in infants younger than 1 year old and pregnant women.
Florida reports additional dengue cases in Miami-Dade and Brevard counties
Vaccination, one of the safest and most effective ways to protect against pertussis, is recommended for everyone. There are two types of combination vaccines that include protection against pertussis, as well as diphtheria and tetanus: DTaP and Tdap. DTaP is recommended for younger children, while Tdap is recommended for older children, pregnant women and adults.
Whooping cough: Why are the rates on the rise again?
Infants should receive DTaP vaccinations at 2, 4, and 6 months followed by two booster doses at 15 to 18 months and at 4 to 6 years. Pre-teens should receive Tdap at 11 to 12 years to boost their immunity. Pregnant women should receive a single dose of Tdap in the 27th – 36th week of pregnancy to help protect their newborns from pertussis during their first few months of life. Also, grandparents and other extended family/friends who may come in close contact with the infant should get booster shots to ensure they don’t unknowingly pass the disease on to the child. Although there is no routine recommendation for pertussis boosters, immunity wanes over time.”
“ Florida health officials report a significant increase in pertussis, or whooping cough cases through the first nine months of 2025.
From the beginning of the year through September 27, 1,295 total cases (1,068 confirmed and 227 probable), an increase of 217 percent compared to the same period in 2024 (409).
Miami-Dade County has seen the most cases with 137, followed by Lee County (108), Polk County (82) and Pinellas County (77).
813 of the total cases (63%) were reported in children nine years of age and younger.
Pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory disease that causes uncontrollable, violent coughs that make it hard to breathe. It most commonly affects infants and young children and can be fatal, especially in babies under 1 year old.
Pertussis is transmitted person-to-person through respiratory droplets or contact with airborne droplets. Patients are considered infectious from the onset of symptoms until three weeks after the start of high-pitched coughing fits, or until completing five days of antibiotics. Recommended treatment includes antibiotics within three weeks of cough onset in people 1 year of age and older, and within six weeks of cough onset in infants younger than 1 year old and pregnant women.
Florida reports additional dengue cases in Miami-Dade and Brevard counties
Vaccination, one of the safest and most effective ways to protect against pertussis, is recommended for everyone. There are two types of combination vaccines that include protection against pertussis, as well as diphtheria and tetanus: DTaP and Tdap. DTaP is recommended for younger children, while Tdap is recommended for older children, pregnant women and adults.
Whooping cough: Why are the rates on the rise again?
Infants should receive DTaP vaccinations at 2, 4, and 6 months followed by two booster doses at 15 to 18 months and at 4 to 6 years. Pre-teens should receive Tdap at 11 to 12 years to boost their immunity. Pregnant women should receive a single dose of Tdap in the 27th – 36th week of pregnancy to help protect their newborns from pertussis during their first few months of life. Also, grandparents and other extended family/friends who may come in close contact with the infant should get booster shots to ensure they don’t unknowingly pass the disease on to the child. Although there is no routine recommendation for pertussis boosters, immunity wanes over time.”
