Whooping cough cases are at their highest level in 35 years – so why the surge?
- Written by Archana Koirala, Paediatrician and Infectious Diseases Specialist; Clinical Researcher, University of Sydney
LSO Photo/Getty ImagesAustralia is battling its biggest rise in whooping cough cases in 35 years.
During 2024 and 2025 Australia recorded 82,513 whooping cough cases – the highest number since monitoring began in 1991.
Also known as pertussis or the “100-day cough”, whooping cough is a potentially fatal respiratory illness which...
Read more: Whooping cough cases are at their highest level in 35 years – so why the surge?





