The Mississippi State Department of Health is warning the public about a sharp increase in pertussis cases in the state, a respiratory disease commonly known as whooping cough.
An MSDH release said Tuesday that 80 cases have been reported in the Magnolia State this year, making for a nearly 163% increase from the 2024 total of 49.
Pertussis is known to cause uncontrollable, violent coughs that can make breathing difficult. The disease that primarily affects infants and young children can be fatal, particularly in infants under one.
10 cases have resulted in hospitalization, seven of which were children under two years of age. No fatal cases have been recorded in Mississippi so far in 2025.
76% of the pertussis cases in Mississippi this year have been in children under 18, while seven cases were in infants less than 2 months old. 28 of the 73 cases that were age-eligible for pertussis vaccination were not vaccinated, according to the MSDH.
“Vaccination, one of the safest and most effective ways to protect against pertussis, is recommended for everyone,” a portion of an MSDH release reads. “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.”
Pertussis is an airborne disease transmitted through person-to-person contact.
To learn more about the disease and stay informed about how to contain the spread, visit the dedicated MSDH webpage.
