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Whooping cough (pertussis) cases are high in Kitsap and Washington state
- katiebaker9
- 23 hours ago
- 2 min read
Vaccination is the best protection against whooping cough.
Whooping cough (pertussis) activity is high in Kitsap County, with 46 cases reported since January 2025.
Eleven cases were confirmed in Kitsap in the past week alone, including clusters of cases within schools and sports teams.
When whooping cough cases are confirmed in group settings, such as schools, Kitsap Public Health District works with the organization to notify people who might have been exposed to the disease and provide guidance for preventing further spread in the community.
What to know about whooping cough
Whooping cough is a highly contagious illness caused by bacteria. Whooping cough spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Without treatment, a person can spread whooping cough for more than three weeks after becoming sick.
People with whooping cough often have symptoms similar to a cold and can develop a severe cough that lasts for weeks. For some, coughing can be severe enough to cause vomiting, seizures, or even rib fracture.
Infants are at greatest risk for becoming severely sick from whooping cough. While most infants with whooping cough do not have a cough, they can struggle to breathe. About one-third of infants who get whooping cough need treatment in a hospital.
Preventing whooping cough
Staying up to date on vaccines is the best way to protect yourself and your family from whooping cough. Whooping cough vaccines are recommended for all ages. Contact your healthcare provider or visit a clinic if you need a vaccine. Vaccines are free in Washington for children 18 and younger. Assistance is available for adults who do not have insurance or whose insurance does not cover vaccines. The CDC recommends one dose of whooping cough vaccine between 27 and 36 weeks of each pregnancy to protect newborns from whooping cough.
Kitsap Public Health is offering two no-cost vaccination clinics for children in April. You can learn more and book an appointment at kitsappublichealth.org/clinic.
You can also take everyday steps to prevent getting and spreading whooping cough and other respiratory illnesses, including washing hands frequently, staying home when sick, and wearing a mask in crowded places.
Antibiotics can be used to treat whooping cough and prevent people who are sick from spreading the bacteria to others. If you or a family member are sick, talk to your healthcare provider about testing and treatment options.
Whooping cough cases increasing in Washington
An increase in whooping cough cases has been reported in Washington state and the United States this year. As of April 12, 888 cases have been reported statewide in 2025, compared with 159 cases reported over the same period of 2024.
School vaccination data showed that the percentage of Kitsap kindergartners who were up to date on whooping cough vaccination declined from 2019 to 2023, increasing the risk for whooping cough to spread among school-aged children.
More resources
Whooping cough | CDC
Whooping cough | WA Department of Health
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