Overview
- Texas has logged more than 3,500 pertussis cases this year, up from 340 in 2023, and Houston officials caution that holiday travel could fuel further spread.
- The CDC has tracked 26,632 U.S. cases as of December 6, which is far above 2023 levels though below last year’s count at the same point.
- An NBC News/Stanford investigation found roughly 70% of counties in 31 states below the 95% childhood DTaP target, with most jurisdictions showing declines since 2019.
- Infants are being hit hardest, with Houston’s chief medical officer warning that symptoms in babies may be subtle and a reported North Texas case requiring breathing tubes.
- Health authorities urge on‑time DTaP for children and Tdap during each pregnancy, noting pertussis spreads by respiratory droplets and often starts with cold‑like symptoms.