Quad Cities Schools Warn That Whooping Cough Cases Are On The Rise

It's been a tough start to the winter cold and flu season already.  And signs are pointing to it getting worse. With a new severe flu already spreading across America and into Iowa, now schools are also warning of whooping cough.

Multiple Schools Warn Of Multiple Cases

Since the start of the 2025-2026 school year, there have been more than 50 students identified as having pertussis, aka, whooping cough. This is compared to 55 total during the 2024-2025 school year. Cases are being seen in multiple schools across Scott County.

Pertussis is an infection that affects the airways and is easily spread from person to person by coughing or sneezing. It can cause a severe cough that can last for weeks or months, sometimes leading to coughing fits, fainting, and/or vomiting. Anyone can get pertussis, and it is very dangerous for infants, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems or lung problems.

Protect Yourself And Others

Just stay home and look at the snow.  That is the best way to stop the spread.

• Anyone who is coughing should stay home.

• Everyone in the household should get medicine for pertussis, even if they are not coughing and even if they have been vaccinated; this helps protect others in your family and the community from getting pertussis.

The Bettendorf school district emailed parents saying, "To protect your student/family from pertussis, the Scott County Health Department recommends that you make sure your family's pertussis vaccinations are up to date. Basic protection against pertussis is provided by the childhood pertussis vaccine, but this protection decreases over time. Students 11 years of age and older and all adults should get a booster shot for pertussis (Tdap) to increase their protection. Contact your healthcare provider if anyone in your family needs a pertussis vaccine."

For more information on pertussis, please review the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services Pertussis Fact Sheet.