Third infant pertussis death reported in Kentucky in 12 months

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Today, state health officials with the Kentucky Department for Public Health announced a third infant has died from pertussis. This highly contagious respiratory infection has been increasing in prevalence across the United States in part due to declining vaccination rates. This is the third pertussis-related infant death reported in Kentucky within the past 12 months.

KDPH has warned Kentuckians about the rising threat of pertussis (whooping cough), noting the largest spike in cases reported in the commonwealth since 2012.  

“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. “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. Many illnesses can be prevented through vaccination, which helps protect not only the individual but also those around them.”  

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. Babies younger than 1 year old are at the greatest risk for whooping cough. 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. Infants can receive the DTaP vaccine beginning at the age of 2 months. The Tdap vaccine is recommended for women during pregnancy to help provide early protection for the baby.

KDPH confirmed none of the infants who died of pertussis in Kentucky over the past 12 months had been vaccinated, nor had their mothers. Kentucky’s three infant deaths from whooping cough are the commonwealth’s first whooping cough deaths reported since 2018.  

Whooping cough vaccination is required for Kentucky school children. Data from the 2024-2025 Kentucky school immunization survey indicate, however, that only 86% of kindergarteners and 85% of seventh graders are up to date on their required whooping cough vaccines. Health officials encourage everyone to remain up to date with pertussis immunizations. This means: 

• 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. 

Other ways to prevent the spread of whooping cough and other infectious illnesses include washing hands often, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying home when sick. 

Symptoms of whooping cough can vary based on age and vaccination status but 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.  

For more information, please visit the Kentucky Department for Public Health’s whooping cough website or contact your local health department.