Kansas City, Missouri, October 18, 2025
News Summary
Kansas City is seeing a significant increase in influenza and whooping cough cases, prompting health officials to stress the importance of vaccination. In 2025, the city has reported 75 pertussis cases, primarily among unvaccinated children, alongside 8,049 influenza cases affecting children and young adults the most. To combat this rise, the Kansas City Health Department has extended vaccination clinic hours through October 29, emphasizing the urgent need for community protection against these diseases.
Kansas City is experiencing a concerning rise in cases of influenza and pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, prompting the local health department to encourage residents to prioritize vaccination. In 2025 alone, the Kansas City Health Department has reported 75 cases of pertussis, with a significant number of these cases involving unvaccinated children and their household contacts.
Additionally, the city has faced a surge in influenza, with 8,049 cases reported this year. The demographic most affected includes children ages 0-15 and adults ages 25-49, who demonstrate the highest rates of infection. As the flu season progresses, health officials stress that vaccination is essential to prevent further illness and community outbreaks.
In response to the escalating situation, the Kansas City Health Department is extending clinic hours on Wednesdays, offering flu and pertussis vaccines until 7 p.m. However, these extended hours will only be available until October 29, after which the clinics will return to their normal operating hours. Community members are encouraged to take advantage of these enhanced service hours to protect themselves and their families.
Flu symptoms tend to onset abruptly and can include fever, chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headaches, and fatigue. Most individuals infected with the flu recover within a few days to two weeks, but complications can arise, particularly for vulnerable populations. These complications can include sinus and ear infections as well as pneumonia, which may necessitate urgent care.
Children exhibiting symptoms such as difficulty breathing, blue lips or face, chest pain, severe muscle pain, dehydration, seizures, or a fever exceeding 104 degrees should seek immediate medical attention. Adults experiencing difficulty breathing, chest or abdomen pain, persistent dizziness or confusion, seizures, severe muscle pain, or severe weakness should also seek immediate care.
Whooping cough, an infectious disease impacting the respiratory system, presents different symptoms based on a person’s age and vaccination status. Infants younger than one year old are particularly at high risk for severe complications. Those infected with whooping cough can be contagious from the onset of symptoms and remain so for over two weeks.
The disease is transmitted through respiratory droplets. Symptoms typically appear 5 to 10 days after exposure, beginning with a runny or stuffy nose, low-grade fever, and mild cough. As the illness progresses, coughing fits may develop, often characterized by a high-pitched “whoop” sound, and can result in vomiting, drowsiness, difficulty sleeping, or trouble breathing.
Public health officials are underscoring the critical need to maintain community vaccination rates to prevent further outbreaks. Vaccination not only protects individuals but also fortifies community immunity, safeguarding the most vulnerable populations from severe health risks associated with these diseases.
FAQ
How many cases of pertussis have been reported in Kansas City in 2025?
So far in 2025, 75 cases of pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, have been reported in Kansas City.
What are the reported cases of influenza in Kansas City this year?
Additionally, there have been 8,049 reported cases of influenza in Kansas City this year.
What symptoms may indicate someone should seek immediate medical attention?
Children should seek immediate medical attention if they experience difficulty breathing, blue lips/face, chest pain, severe muscle pain, dehydration, seizures, or a fever above 104 degrees.
Key Features Overview
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Current Pertussis Cases | 75 cases reported in 2025 |
| Current Influenza Cases | 8,049 cases reported this year |
| High-Risk Age Groups | Children ages 0-15 and adults ages 25-49 |
| Extended Vaccine Clinic Hours | Wednesdays until 7 p.m. until October 29 |
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Additional Resources
- Kansas City News Article on Influenza and Pertussis
- Wikipedia: Vaccination
- Missouri Independent: Kindergarten Vaccination Rates
- Google Search: Influenza
- Kansas City News Article on Health Updates
- Google Scholar: Pertussis
- Kansas City Article on Local Government Health Initiatives
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Influenza
- Kansas City News on Vaccination Efforts
- Google News: Pertussis
Author: STAFF HERE KANSAS CITY WRITER
The KANSAS CITY STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREKansasCity.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Kansas City, Jackson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as American Royal World Series of Barbecue, Dia De Los Muertos, and Planet Anime Kansas City. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater Kansas City, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and entertainment that power the local economy such as Children's Mercy Hospital, Government Employees Health Association, and AMC Entertainment. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREStLouis.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Missouri's dynamic landscape.
