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Whooping Cough (Pertussis) in Michigan
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
Pertussis Information for Healthcare Providers and Local Health Departments
Vaccine information, investigation guidelines, education resources, and more.
Pertussis Information for the Public
Learn more about pertussis and the vaccines that prevent it.
Vaccine-Preventable Diseases Data and Statistics
Find MDHHS data and statistics on vaccination rates, vaccine-preventable disease cases, school data, and more.