Pertussis, the bacterial disease that causes whooping cough, saw a surge in Alameda County, which recorded 183 cases by the end of 2024, according to the Public Health Department of Alameda County. These numbers mark the highest increase in whooping cough cases in a decade, creating a significant public health concern.
“In Berkeley, the start of the school year saw a high rise of around 81 cases, mostly among Berkeley High School or UC Berkeley students. This compares to an average of four cases per year over the previous nine years,” Matthai Chakko, a communications director for the City of Berkeley, said.
This led to a challenging aftermath as many students struggled to cope with the illness, while public health officials and the City of Berkeley worked to manage the outbreak.
Commonly identified by a severe cough followed by a high-pitched breath that sounds like a “whoop,” whooping cough is a highly contagious respiratory tract infection that primarily affects children too young to have completed their vaccinations. The BHS Health Center’s policy is that if a student had shown symptoms of whooping cough, they would refer them to their doctor or the Berkeley Unified School District nurse, as they do not conduct testing for the infection.
The symptoms of whooping cough can be significant, with excessive mucus buildup leading to sore throats and difficulty breathing. Since coughing helps relieve throat discomfort, persistent fits can make it difficult to focus. “I kept going to school, because I didn’t know I had a whooping cough. But then I would have coughing fits, which made my sleep disruptive,” said Calvin Lee, a senior at BHS.
When students began experiencing symptoms, many got medical attention for a diagnosis. The highest number of cases at BHS occurred between October and mid-November, yet communication from the school about the spread and prevalence of the disease was minimal at the time, according to Magnolia Hougan, a BHS senior.
“There wasn’t much information in the whooping cough email (from the City of Berkeley and BHS), and by the time they sent it, I had already gotten the disease, and so had three of my friends. I wish they had sent it earlier so we could have been more informed and known it was a threat,” Hougan said.
Once BHS began spreading awareness about the outbreak, students received essential information about symptoms, the importance of full vaccination, and the need for immediate treatment with prescribed antibiotics if diagnosed. Hearing about cases firsthand also encouraged students to take action. “Since my friend had the whooping cough and was talking about it, I was able to catch it pretty early. So I went to the doctor and got antibiotics, and it wasn’t the end of the world,” Theodore Lam, a junior at BHS, said.
The most likely reason for the rise in whooping cough cases over the past few months is that immunity from pertussis vaccinations decreases over time. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, babies and young children receive multiple doses of the TdaP vaccine for maximum immunity, followed by booster shots. Older children and adults receive the Tdap booster to renew their protection.
“My doctor explained that I got whooping cough because I was vaccinated when I was two, again at eight, and I’ll get another round when I’m nineteen. Since I hadn’t been vaccinated in about eight or nine years, it wasn’t uncommon for someone my age to catch it if it was going around,” said Catherine Stechschulte, a junior at El Cerrito High School, who recently had pertussis.
However, the risk of the widespread disease outbreaks among teenagers remains relatively low due to California’s strict vaccination requirements. “The California Department of Public Health’s Shots for School Immunization Program mandates all students from kindergarten through twelfth grade to receive a variety of vaccinations, including the Tdap vaccine, which protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis,” Chakko said.
To control the spread of whooping cough, the City of Berkeley Communicable Disease Prevention and Control Team continues to track infections and add prevention measures. “When cases of pertussis are identified among Berkeley residents, including school-aged children, the City of Berkeley Communicable Disease Prevention and Control Team works with cases, providers, and organizations to identify and inform those exposed and at risk of infection about what to do if they have signs or symptoms of pertussis,” Chakko said.
Health officials are working toward preventing future outbreaks and encourage residents to stay up to date with their vaccinations.