SIOUX FALLS S.D. (KELO) — The South Dakota Department of Health (SD DOH) is reporting new Whooping Cough numbers for the month of December.
There were 90 cases of pertussis (whooping cough) reported through October and November, and as of December 26, there were a total of 319 cases reported across South Dakota From January through December. As of December 26, there were 1,507 influenza cases reported this flu season in South Dakota, with 660 cases reported in the last week.
This year South Dakota is experiencing whooping cough rates at 650% over the five year average.
The DOH also reported that 206,256 doses of Influenza vaccines were administered for the 2024-2025 season.
They added that they are staring to see the disease pop up more in the western parts of the state as well.
In an Email sent to KELOLAND News the SD DOH said “South Dakota continues to see pertussis cases in school-aged children, resulting in short-term exclusion of cases and close contacts from school. Most of this activity has been focused in eastern South Dakota; however, we are now seeing more cases arise from the western part of the state.”
