AUSTIN, Texas — Austin Public Health is warning about a spike in cases of whooping cough as the holiday season approaches.

The local health authority has reported 135 cases of the virus locally in 2025, already much higher than the 84 cases that were reported in all of 2024.

Last month, Austin Public Health reported that at least six cases of whooping cough had been confirmed at Lamar Middle School since August.

At the time, the health department said the rise in whooping cough cases might be due to education APH has shared with local health care providers regarding testing and signs of the illness. APH said this has "resulted in improved diagnosis, treatment, identification and prophylactic treatment of those exposed to this illness."

What to know about whooping cough

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