FRANKFORT, Ky. (WKYT) – A third infant has died from pertussis in Kentucky within the past 12 months, state health officials announced Monday.

The Kentucky Department for Public Health said the death comes amid the largest spike in whooping cough cases reported in the commonwealth since 2012. Pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory infection that has been increasing in prevalence across the United States in part due to declining vaccination rates.

“We are deeply saddened to learn of another infant death in Kentucky due to pertussis and are concerned by the volume of cases we are seeing throughout the commonwealth,” said Dr. Steven Stack, secretary of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services.

566 cases reported this year

As of Nov. 19, there have been 566 cases of whooping cough identified in Kentucky, with health officials anticipating additional cases in the final weeks of the year.

The three infant deaths are Kentucky’s first whooping cough deaths reported since 2018. Health officials confirmed none of the infants who died had been vaccinated, nor had their mothers.

Babies younger than 1 year old are at the greatest risk for whooping cough.

Vaccination rates below target

Data from the 2024-2025 Kentucky school immunization survey indicate only 86% of kindergarteners and 85% of seventh graders are up to date on their required whooping cough vaccines.

“We continue to urge Kentuckians to get their whooping cough vaccine and to make sure they are up to date on all other recommended immunizations,” Stack said. “Many illnesses can be prevented through vaccination, which helps protect not only the individual but also those around them.”

Prevention and vaccination schedule

The best way to prevent whooping cough is by receiving the Tdap or DTaP vaccine, which protects against three bacterial infections — diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis.

Health officials recommend:

• All pregnant women should be immunized with each pregnancy to protect their babies
• Infants should be immunized when they are 2 months, 4 months, 6 months and 12-to-15 months old
• Children should be immunized before starting kindergarten
• Pre-teens should be immunized between the ages of 11 and 12 years old
• Teens and adults should be immunized at least every 10 years, or sooner if an injury occurs or to protect a newborn

Symptoms and prevention

Symptoms of whooping cough typically begin with a runny or congested nose and mild coughing. After one to two weeks, the cough can progress to rapid, violent coughing fits that may cause the characteristic “whooping” sound, vomiting or labored breathing.

Other ways to prevent the spread include washing hands often, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying home when sick.

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