BROOKLAND, AR — (BrooklandNews.com) — Dec. 17, 2025 — Health officials are warning residents as whooping cough cases continue to rise across Arkansas, including in Northeast Arkansas.
The Arkansas Department of Health says pertussis cases have increased significantly this year, marking one of the highest totals seen in years. Local health departments report that many of the recent cases involve school-aged children, though adults are also being diagnosed.
Whooping cough is a highly contagious respiratory illness that spreads through close contact, coughing, and sneezing. Symptoms often begin like a common cold but can worsen over time, leading to severe coughing fits that may last for weeks.
Health officials say infants and young children are at the highest risk for complications, including breathing problems and hospitalization. Because early symptoms may appear mild, the illness can spread before families realize someone is infected.
Doctors say the increase may be linked to declining vaccination rates in recent years. Vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent pertussis and limit outbreaks within communities.
“This is actually the highest increase here in 2025 that we’ve had since 2013,” said Dr. Shane Speights, dean of the New York Institute of Technology at Arkansas State University, commenting on the surge in whooping cough cases and the role of vaccination rates in recent coverage by KY3 news.
Local schools and childcare centers are being encouraged to monitor for symptoms and review immunization records. Parents are urged to contact a healthcare provider if a child develops a persistent or worsening cough.
The Arkansas Department of Health recommends routine childhood vaccinations and booster shots for adolescents and adults. Officials also stress the importance of staying home when sick, covering coughs, and practicing good hygiene.