Lexington, KY – Updated November 11, 2025

The Lexington-Fayette County Health Department (LFCHD) has confirmed 11 cases of pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, in Fayette County since October 3, 2025, with the majority reported since October 24. Ten of the cases involve school-age children, and one case is a 1-year-old child. All individuals were up to date on their vaccinations.

The cases are distributed as follows: 5 at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School, 3 at Lafayette High School, 1 at Lansdowne Elementary School, and 1 at Lexington Christian Academy High School. Pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory illness spread through coughing and sneezing, and it can be particularly severe for infants and those with chronic conditions.

Symptoms often begin like a common cold, including a runny nose, sneezing, low-grade fever, and a nagging cough that resembles an allergy, but persists. After 1-2 weeks, the cough may worsen, becoming intense and uncontrollable, sometimes accompanied by a “whooping” sound when gasping for air, vomiting, or exhaustion. Caregivers are urged to monitor for these symptoms in themselves and their children and seek testing if pertussis is suspected.

“Vaccines are one of the major achievements of modern medicine, helping eradicate diseases.  Pertussis (aka whooping cough) is one of those vaccine preventable diseases.  We encourage families to get their children vaccinated and stay up to date on vaccines,” said Dr. Crystal Miller, Commissioner of Health for LFCHD. The pertussis vaccine is routine and required for school-age children, with a Tdap booster recommended for those aged 11 and older. Although effective, immunity can wane over time, making boosters critical for older children and adults. Those who have never received the Tdap vaccine should contact their primary care provider or call LFCHD at 859-288-2483 (Monday-Thursday) to check availability.

Children with pertussis symptoms should stay home from school and visit a healthcare provider for evaluation, even if vaccinated. Those diagnosed with probable or confirmed pertussis must remain out of school until completing antibiotic treatment. If someone in your household has pertussis, it’s recommended that other members of the household take a preventive antibiotic, called postexposure prophylaxis (PEP), to help stop the infection from spreading.

Central Kentucky caregivers are encouraged to ensure all household members are up to date on vaccinations, including boosters, and to be vigilant for pertussis symptoms.

For more information on pertussis, visit LFCHD.org/pertussis.

Media Contact:
Lexington-Fayette County Health Department
communications@lfchd.org