GALVESTON COUNTY, Texas— Galveston County Health District is seeing increased reporting of pertussis (whooping cough) in Galveston County. There have been several confirmed cases of whooping cough, with additional suspected cases currently under investigation. This increase aligns with trends observed by state health departments and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) this year.

Whooping cough is a bacterial infection that can spread through the air when people cough. It is very contagious. If not treated, whooping cough can spread easily to others. It usually starts like a common cold but worsens over 1-2 weeks as a cough develops. People with whooping cough may have coughing spells in which they can’t catch their breath between coughs. As they catch their breath at the end of a coughing spell, they may loudly gasp (“whoop”) and vomit or feel like they’re choking. Young babies with whooping cough may not have a cough. Instead, they may have trouble breathing and gag, gasp, turn blue or vomit.

Notably, the community recorded zero cases of pertussis last year, highlighting the significance of this recent development. Health officials stress the importance of awareness and vaccination to help prevent further spread.

Recommendations:

1. Please make sure your family’s whooping cough vaccinations are up to date. Vaccination remains the most effective way to protect against pertussis. The CDC recommends that children receive a series of DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis) vaccines starting at 2 months of age, with booster shots recommended for older children and adults. Pregnant women are also advised to receive the Tdap vaccine during each pregnancy to help protect newborns.
   • The vaccine usually protects against whooping cough. But younger children who have not completed their 5-dose vaccination series and older children, teenagers and adults who were completely immunized before they started kindergarten can get whooping cough because protection from the vaccine wears off over time.
   • This is why a booster dose of vaccine, called Tdap, is recommended for those 11-18 years of age and for adults.
2. Getting the Tdap vaccine is especially important for older adults to protect against whooping cough (pertussis) and prevent its spread to family members, especially infants. By keeping up to date with the Tdap booster, older adults can significantly reduce the chance of becoming carriers and spreading the disease to newborns and other vulnerable family members. Even if you were vaccinated as a child, immunity can fade over time, which is why a Tdap booster is recommended for adults, especially if they will be around infants. Staying up to date with the vaccine is a simple and effective way to help protect the health and safety of your loved ones.

If you have concerns about whooping cough, we recommend scheduling an appointment with you or your child's healthcare provider. If your child has been exposed to a confirmed case of whooping cough and is showing symptoms make an appointment with your child’s doctor as soon as possible and tell the doctor that your child may have been exposed to whooping cough. If diagnosed with whooping cough, your child will need to stay home from school and activities, such as sports or play groups until five days of antibiotics have been completed.

To support community health, our Immunization Services division provides essential vaccinations for both children and adults, protecting against vaccine-preventable diseases. For those in need of immunizations, visit us at:

Immunization Services

9850-B Emmett F Lowry Expressway 

Suite B-104 

Texas City, TX 77591 

Phone: 409-949-3459 

Hours of Operation:

Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. 

Open until 7 p.m. on Tuesdays 

Open at 10 a.m. on the second Tuesday of each month 

For more information on pertussis, vaccination guidelines, and to locate vaccination services, please visit the CDC's website: CDC Pertussis Surveillance and Trends.