WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – The state is reminding parents to keep their children’s vaccines up to date amid a surge in whooping cough cases.

The Washington State Department of Health says Washington saw 25 times as many whooping cough cases in 2024 as the year before.

The dramatic rise coincided with vaccination rates for the disease falling eight percent among children aged one-and-a-half to three years old over the past five years.

Still, the department is warning that this year could be even worse.

According to its latest report, the state has already seen just over 1,300 cases through the end of May, compared to about 317 at the same time last year. Whatcom County has had 77 cases this year, marking the fifth-most per capita in the state.

Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, can cause pneumonia, seizures, apnea and sometimes death. This is especially dangerous for young children. It’s highly contagious and anyone experiencing even mild symptoms should contact their doctor.

The state reported its first whooping cough-related death in over a decade last year.