Confirmed Whooping Cough Case in Henderson County

A confirmed case of pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, has been reported in Henderson County, prompting the Henderson County Health Department (HCHD) to issue a public alert on February 2, 2026.

The health department received notification of the confirmed case and is collaborating with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) to implement measures aimed at preventing further spread of the highly contagious bacterial infection. Pertussis is caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis and spreads easily through coughing or sneezing. It leads to severe coughing spells that can persist for weeks or months, sometimes causing intense fits, vomiting, and other complications. 

While anyone can contract the disease, it poses a particularly serious risk to infants and individuals with weakened immune systems. Family members, especially mothers, can transmit it to newborns, who are especially vulnerable. The HCHD urges residents to watch for symptoms and act quickly.  If you or your child develops signs of pertussis, contact a healthcare provider immediately.

What to Do If Exposed to Pertussis

The department provided the following guidelines for those who may have been exposed:

If coughing develops: Stay home from school, work, and other activities or events to avoid spreading the infection.

Seek medical attention promptly: Schedule an appointment with a healthcare provider as soon as possible, informing them of the potential exposure.

For those with weakened immune systems: Contact your provider right away to discuss post-exposure prophylactic antibiotics, even if no cough is present yet.

If living with high-risk individuals: This includes pregnant women, infants under 12 months, or anyone with a compromised immune system—your provider should consider prescribing antibiotics as a preventive measure, regardless of current symptoms.

This local case comes amid broader concerns over rising pertussis rates. The IDPH has noted increasing pertussis activity across Illinois and the U.S., linked in part to waning vaccine protection over time and lower vaccination rates in recent years. Nationally, whooping cough cases have surged in recent seasons, with tens of thousands reported annually, highlighting the risks of declining immunization coverage.

The HCHD emphasizes the importance of keeping vaccinations up to date, particularly the DTaP (for children) and Tdap (for adolescents and adults) vaccines, which provide strong but time-limited protection against pertussis. For more details on symptoms, visit the CDC's pertussis page: https://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/about/signs-symptoms.html (Note: The original alert referenced a similar CDC link for signs and symptoms.)

Anyone with questions or concerns should contact the Henderson County Health Department at (309) 627-2812. Office hours are Monday–Thursday 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., and Friday 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Residents are encouraged to stay informed, prioritize vaccinations, and seek prompt medical care to help curb the spread of this preventable but potentially dangerous illness.