PORTLAND, Ore. ( KOIN ) – After warning of a “sharp increase” in pertussis cases in November, Washington is ending 2024 with the state’s highest number of pertussis cases in a decade.
According to the most recently available data from the Washington State Department of Health — reporting pertussis cases through December 21 — Washington has seen a total of 1,976 pertussis cases in 2024. Officials noted the state may see additional cases with the year’s final report expected January 3.
In a statement to KOIN 6 News on Tuesday, a spokesperson for the department attributed 2024’s case count to a decline in childhood vaccinations during the COVID-19 pandemic…