(DRG News – Pierre, SD) South Dakota had a 962% increase in cases of Pertussis– or whooping cough– in 2024.
State Epidemiologist Dr. Josh Clayton says the five-year average in the state is 34 cases per year, but 2024 saw 361 cases.
Clayton says Pertussis affects infants the most.
Last month (Jan. 24, 2025), the Department of Health reported the death of a child due to a co-infection of Pertussis and influenza. The last Pertussis death in South Dakota happened in 2023, also in a child.
Clayton says there’s typically an increase in all types of respiratory illnesses– in kids and adults– from October through April and the reason for that is multifactoral.
When it comes to lessening your chances of contracting a respiratory illness, Clayton says there are things to consider and actions you can take.
Clayton says the Department of Health provides information about reported cases of respiratory and other illnesses on its website. However, he says keep in mind that there are more cases out there than what the numbers show.
Current numbers from SDDOH show 10 South Dakotans have died from influenza so far this winter.
