Feb. 17, 2026. Reno/Sparks, Nev. – Northern Nevada Public Health (NNPH) is actively responding to increased rates of pertussis, also known as whooping cough, and is notifying the public about the respiratory disease.

Two schools in Washoe County have received mass notification letters about exposures that are known to have occurred at their schools. We are unable to release the names of those schools to protect patient privacy.

For reference, in 2025 NNPH reported 31 cases of pertussis, which is about three times more than previous years. In 2026, we already have more pertussis cases reported (13) than all of 2023, and all of 2024, respectively.

Pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory illness that often begins with mild, cold-like symptoms such as a runny nose, mild cough, and low-grade fever.

After one to two weeks, symptoms may progress to severe coughing fits that can last several weeks. Some individuals may experience a high-pitched “whoop” sound after coughing, vomiting following coughing spells, or extreme fatigue. Infants may pause their breathing (apnea) instead of coughing.

Without treatment, a person with pertussis can remain contagious for up to three weeks after coughing begins. Appropriate antibiotics can reduce the contagious period to about five days. Pertussis can cause adverse outcomes in all age groups; however, infants are at highest risk of serious and deadly complications.

What Community Members Should Know

NNPH encourages individuals to:

• Consult a healthcare provider if they or their child develop symptoms consistent with pertussis. Early evaluation can help determine whether testing or treatment is needed.
• Keep symptomatic individuals home and avoid group activities until cleared by a healthcare provider.
• Speak with a healthcare provider about post-exposure preventive antibiotics (PEP) if they are close contacts of a confirmed case, particularly if they:
  • Are infants under 12 months
  • Have health conditions that increase the risk of severe illness
  • Are in their third trimester of pregnancy
  • Live or work in settings with infants
• Stay up to date on pertussis vaccinations.
  • Children should receive the five-dose DTaP series at 2, 4, 6, 15–18 months, and 4–6 years.
  • Adolescents should receive one dose (Tdap) at age 11-12 years.
  • Adults should receive a booster dose (Tdap) every 10 years.
  • Pregnant individuals should receive a Tdap dose during weeks 27–36 of each pregnancy to help protect newborns.
  • All household members and caregivers (parents, siblings, grandparents, babysitters, etc.) who will have close contact with an infant should receive a Tdap booster every 10 years.
• Practice everyday prevention: cover coughs, wash hands frequently, avoid sharing personal items, and stay home when sick.

What NNPH Is Doing

NNPH is coordinating with the Washoe County School District to notify parents and staff about potential exposures. The agency is applying exclusion guidance consistent with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

If a person was exposed to a case of pertussis during the case’s infectious period, the CDC states that symptomatic contacts to the case should remain out of school or related activities until after completing five days of effective antibiotics. Individuals who are not treated should remain home for 21 days from the onset of cough.

Why This Matters

Prompt identification and management of pertussis helps reduce spread, particularly in schools and childcare settings where close contact is common. Early evaluation and preventive measures are especially important to protect infants and others at higher risk of severe illness.

For more information, visit the CDC’s pertussis information page at www.cdc.gov/pertussis

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Northern Nevada Public Health (NNPH) is nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board and has jurisdiction over all public health matters in Reno, Sparks, and Washoe County through the policy-making District Board of Health. NNPH consists of five divisions: Administrative Health Services, Air Quality Management, Community and Clinical Health Services, Environmental Health Services and Population Health. More info can be found here.