JACKSON, Miss. (KNOE) - The Mississippi Department of Health announced that an infant died from pertussis, also known as whooping cough.

This is only the third pertussis-related pediatric death reported in Mississippi since 2008.

MSDH said the baby was less than two months old and not old enough for the DTap vaccine, which is given to babies at 2, 4, and 6 months old followed by boosters at 15-18 months old and at 4-6 years.

Mississippi has reported 115 pertussis cases in 2025 as of Sept. 29, and increase from the 49 total cases in 2024.

According to the MSDH, whooping cough is extremely contagious and causes uncontrollable, violent coughs that make it hard to breathe.

“Vaccination is one of the safest and most effective ways to protect against pertussis and is recommended for everyon

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