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Whooping Cough (Pertussis) in Michigan

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Updates on Pertussis (Whooping Cough) in Michigan

Updates on Pertussis (Whooping Cough) in Michigan

Pertussis is a respiratory illness that is easily spread by coughing and sneezing. It starts like the common cold, with runny nose or congestion, sneezing, and mild cough or fever. After 1-2 weeks, severe coughing begins.

Infants and children with the disease cough violently and rapidly, over and over, until the air is gone from their lungs and they're forced to inhale with a loud "whooping" sound. The coughing can last for weeks, even months.

Adults and adolescents typically have a milder form of pertussis; however, they can still easily spread the infection to others, including infants and young children.

Pertussis is most severe for babies; more than half of infants less than 1 year of age who get the disease must be hospitalized.

Pertussis Cases in Michigan

2025 Pertussis Cases

As of April 18, 2025, there have been 497 confirmed cases of pertussis in Michigan. 

Previous Years

Year 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Cases 661 548 116 72 85 110 2081

 

For this and other vaccine-preventable disease data see the Data and Statistics page.

 

Learn More About Pertussis

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Pertussis Information for Healthcare Providers and Local Health Departments

Vaccine information, investigation guidelines, education resources, and more. 

Pertussis Information for Healthcare

Pertussis Information for the Public

Learn more about pertussis and the vaccines that prevent it. 

Pertussis Information for the Public
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Vaccine-Preventable Diseases Data and Statistics

Find MDHHS data and statistics on vaccination rates, vaccine-preventable disease cases, school data, and more. 

Statistics