Kate and Greg Moor’s son, 13-year-old Joe, began experiencing severe coughing fits in March. Initially, they thought it was just a virus or spring allergies. Despite trying cough medicine, Joe’s coughing jags became more frequent and violent, sometimes every five to 10 minutes. Tests revealed he had pertussis, also known as whooping cough, a bacterial infection characterized by uncontrollable coughing fits. The constant coughing can be exhausting and life-threatening, especially for small children with tiny airways.
The resurgence of whooping cough has been observed since the early 2000s, with about 10,000 reported cases each year. Cases slowed during the pandemic lockdown but are now increasing again. In Michigan, where the Moor family lives, there has been a significant rise in whooping cough cases, with a nearly 1,800% increase from 2023 to 2024. Other states, such as Louisiana, South Dakota, and Idaho, have reported fatalities due to pertussis.
Pneumonia is the most common complication of whooping cough and can be fatal. So far in 2025, there have been 8,064 reported cases of whooping cough in the U.S., compared to 3,835 for the same time in 2024. The number of whooping cough cases in the U.S. more than quadrupled from 2023 to 2024. The increase in cases highlights the importance of vaccination and awareness of the symptoms of pertussis to prevent its spread and potential complications.
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