Health officials say 2 Kentucky infants have died from whooping cough in last 6 months

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Two infants in Kentucky have died from whooping cough in the last six months.

State health officials confirmed the deaths Friday and said neither the infants or their mothers were vaccinated for whooping cough during pregnancy or infancy.

These deaths are the first whooping cough-related deaths in Kentucky since 2018.

State health officials recommend all Kentuckians to stay up to date on their pertussis (whooping cough) immunizations and stress the importance of them for pregnant women and infants.

“Fortunately, when vaccinations are administered to pregnant women, it provides protection to both the mother and the baby," Kentucky Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Steven Stack said in a release.

Whooping cough is a very contagious respiratory illness, spread easily from person to person through the air. People are contagious from the time symptoms start and for at least two weeks after coughing begins.

Symptoms can vary by age, but typically begin with a runny or congested nose and a mild cough. After one to two weeks, the cough can progress to rapid, violent coughing spells, vomiting and labored breathing.

Babies younger than one years old are at higher risk of contracting whooping cough, and they may not have the classic symptoms or even a cough, but may have trouble breathing or stop breathing. In addition, people with pre-existing health conditions are also at higher risk for developing a severe infection from the whooping cough illness.

Whooping cough cases began to rise in Kentucky in July 2024 with 543 cases last year, the highest since 2012. So far this year, there have been 247 reported cases of whooping cough in Kentucky.

Health officials urge anyone exposed to the virus to see a doctor.

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