Increase in Infant Pertussis (Whooping Cough) Cases

Date: November 17, 2025

Attention: Providers

Call to action: Texas children’s Health Plan (TCHP) would like to alert providers that the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is reporting a significant increase in cases of pertussis, or whooping cough, in 2025. According to provisional data, Texas has had more than 3,500 reported pertussis cases through October this year, roughly four times the number reported for the same period last year. This is the second consecutive year that Texas is experiencing high year-over-year increases in reported pertussis cases and the second consecutive year DSHS has issued a health alert (see Increase in Pertussis Cases, Nov. 12, 2024).

Immunity information: The best way to protect against pertussis is immunization. Parents should ensure children are up to date on pertussis immunizations, and pregnant women and others who will be around newborns should get a booster dose to protect babies from what can be a deadly infection. Clinicians should consider pertussis in people with compatible symptoms and report all suspected cases to the local health department within one workday.

Next step for Providers: Pertussis reports should be made to your local health department. Contacts by county at https://www.dshs.texas.gov/idps-investigation-forms/disease-reporting-contacts.

If you have any questions, please email Provider Relations at providerrelations@texaschildrens.org. 

For access to all provider alerts: www.texaschildrenshealthplan.org/provideralerts.