Extremely Contagious Illness Spreading Across Michigan, Impacting Lungs

It's hard to go anywhere in Michigan without hearing someone cough in the distance or, in many cases, right over your shoulder. This wasn't something we gave much thought to until 2020, when the sound of someone coughing could actually be deadly.

Here we are, five years later, and the sound of someone coughing still has many residents on edge—and rightfully so.

People should be a little on edge right now as the state is experiencing a rise in highly contagious illnesses, with cases spreading quickly across communities.

This particular illness saw a dip during the pandemic, which may have been caused by widespread social distancing, mask mandates, and increased focus on hygiene.

Extremely Contagious Illness on the Rise in Michigan

According to Bridge Michigan, cases of pertussis, also known as whooping cough, have surged big time since 2023, raising alarms among state health officials. As of December 8, Michigan had confirmed 1,578 cases, a dramatic increase compared to just 110 reported throughout all of 2023. That number could be even higher now, especially with the recent holidays.

On a national level, the numbers are even more staggering, with nearly 33,000 people nationwide infected with whooping cough in 2024. This is an extremely high increase compared to the previous year when the CDC reported only around 6,500 cases.

What Exactly is Whooping Cough (pertussis)?

Whooping cough is a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by bacteria. It starts with cold-like symptoms, but soon enough, it leads to coughing fits that can make it hard to breathe. The "whooping" sound comes from the gasping breath you take after coughing. It’s especially tough on babies and young kids, and even though it’s preventable with a vaccine, it’s still making a comeback in some areas.