WEST VIRGINIA (WCHS) — Health officials in West Virginia have reported the largest increase of whooping cough in 15 years.

A total of 126 cases of pertussis – a highly contagious respiratory illness - have been identified across the state in 2025, marking the largest since 2010, according to a news release from the West Virginia Bureau of Public Health.

The news release said most cases have been reported in the western region of the state with the median age of 12. Bureau numbers show 18% of cases have been identified in infants and 28 cases have resulted in hospitalization.

Health officials said sudden or worsening cough illnesses may cause gagging, vomiting or apnea and those with pertussis are contagious for about three weeks or until five days after antibiotic therapy has been completed.

Pregnant women, infants, those with asthma and the immunocompromised stand a higher risk of becoming ill.

Vaccination remains the best way to prevent whooping cough.

Pertussis must be reported to local health departments within a day of diagnosis.

For more information, call the West Virginia Office of Epidemiology and Prevention Services at 304-558-5358, ext. 1, or click here.