Information compiled by Google AI

West Virginia is experiencing its highest number of whooping cough (pertussis) cases since 2010, with 199 total cases reported as of late December 2025. While the state does not publish a live public dashboard with exact rates for every county, recent health alerts and local reports identify the following hotspots: 

• Regional Trends: The highest concentration of cases is currently in the Western region of the state.

• Wayne County

: Identified as a significant area of concern with a confirmed outbreak at Fort Gay PK-8 School involving at least six cases.

• Marion County

: Recently confirmed three cases within a month, prompting local health warnings.

• Preston County

: Reported a concentrated cluster with 8 confirmed cases at Preston High School.

• Webster County

: Confirmed cases have been reported, specifically at 

Webster Springs Elementary School

.

• North Central Region: General increases have been noted across multiple counties in this area, including 

Webster  and Preston

. 

Key 2025 Statistics for West Virginia:

• Total Cases (YTD): 199 confirmed cases as of mid-December (up from 46 in 2023).

• Active Cases: 76 cases were active as of December 15, 2025.

• Hospitalization Rate: Approximately 22% of reported cases have required hospitalization.

• Demographics: The median age of those infected is 12 years old, with infants under 12 months making up 18% of all cases. 

For the most recent county-specific data, residents are encouraged to contact their Local Health Department or the West Virginia Bureau for Public Health