A recent public health report reveals a sharp local increase in whooping cough cases, alongside ongoing concerns over sexually transmitted infections disproportionately affecting young adults, according to the Carson City Health and Human Services (CCHHS) Q1 2026 Director’s Report.

It will be presented to the Carson City Board of Supervisors Thursday, June 4. See more on that meeting here.

Supervisors to discuss changes relating to decreased monthly meetings, election records, animal shelters and more

Whooping Cough (Pertussis) Surges in Local Schools 

Pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, is currently experiencing a cyclical increase nationwide, which health officials attribute to declining vaccination rates, waning vaccine-induced immunity, and potential changes in the bacterium itself.

While Carson City historically maintained a low incidence rate of zero to two cases annually from 2018 to 2024, the region recorded five confirmed cases in 2025. That number has already been surpassed this year, with seven cases reported by mid-April 2026. In late March, a cluster of cases was identified within local schools, prompting the CCHHS Epidemiology Branch to work closely with the Carson City School District to disseminate fact sheets and notify parents. Officials are continuing to monitor the schools and surrounding community for additional illnesses.

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease Drives Outbreaks 

According to the report’s 2025 Communicable Disease Summary, the local Epidemiology Branch investigated 20 total outbreaks last year. Over half of these—11 outbreaks—were associated with hand, foot, and mouth disease. These outbreaks were primarily localized in school and childcare settings, requiring rapid intervention and infection prevention measures to curb further spread among children.

Young Adults Comprise 31% of STI Diagnoses Amid Rise in Syphilis 

The city received 249 reports of confirmed sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in 2025, marking a slight overall decrease from 266 cases in 2024. While cases of chlamydia and gonorrhea declined, health officials noted a concerning increase in reports of both infectious and non-infectious syphilis. Increased detection of syphilis may be tied to screening practices in higher-risk environments, such as correctional facilities.

The burden of STIs remains notably high among adolescents and young adults. In 2025, nearly three out of every ten diagnoses (31%) were in individuals between the ages of 19 and 24. Factors driving the high rate in this age group include social behaviors, having multiple partners, facing stigma, and cases where infections present with mild or zero symptoms, leaving them undiagnosed for extended periods. Despite these barriers, local providers and the Epidemiology Branch successfully connected 97% of diagnosed Carson City residents to appropriate treatment in 2025.

High-Tech Mosquito Control and University Partnerships 

In addition to communicable disease tracking, the CCHHS is rolling out modernization efforts to protect the public. For the 2026 season, the Environmental Health Branch has transitioned its mosquito abatement program from helicopter drops to drone deployments. The shift to drone treatments offers cost savings, more precise targeting, and greater accessibility to mosquito habitats. The city’s first drone larvicide treatment took place on May 7, with a second scheduled for the first week of June.

Looking to the future of public health, CCHHS was officially designated as an academic health department on May 7, 2026, following the Board of Supervisors’ approval of an agreement with the University of Nevada, Reno. The partnership aims to develop the future public health workforce, bringing graduate interns into the city’s Epidemiology, Chronic Disease, and Human Services branches this summer.

Kelsey is a fourth-generation Nevadan, investigative journalist and college professor working in the Sierras. She is an advocate of high desert agriculture, rescue dogs, and analog education.