Whooping cough, chlamydia and chickenpox: Diseases that increased in the Panhandle in 2025
Chlamydia, whooping cough and chickenpox were among several diseases that saw an increase in the Nebraska Panhandle in 2025, according to the Panhandle Public Health District’s newly released annual disease surveillance report.
SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. — Chlamydia, whooping cough and chickenpox were among several diseases that saw an increase in the Nebraska Panhandle in 2025, according to the Panhandle Public Health District’s newly released annual disease surveillance report.
Of all reportable diseases tracked by the district, chlamydia remained the most common, with 234 cases reported in 2025, up from 222 cases the year before. Chlamydia is also the most commonly reported sexually transmitted infection statewide. The most recent data from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services shows more than 8,900 cases reported statewide in 2020, giving Nebraska a national ranking of 28th, with a rate of about 457 cases per 100,000 people.
Cases are most common among people younger than 25, and females account for roughly twice as many reported infections as males.
Other sexually transmitted infections showed mixed trends in the Panhandle. Gonorrhea cases dropped from 23 in 2024 to nine in 2025. Syphilis cases declined from 24 to 13, while AIDS cases increased from zero to one.
Nationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported chlamydia cases declined for the second year in a row, down 8 percent since 2023, while gonorrhea cases fell for a third consecutive year, down 10 percent. Syphilis, however, continues to rise sharply nationwide, increasing 80 percent between 2018 and 2022. Congenital syphilis cases among newborns were 10 times higher in 2022 than in 2012, with about 3,700 cases reported.
Several vaccine-preventable diseases also increased locally in 2025. Varicella, commonly known as chickenpox, rose from zero to 10 cases. Pertussis, or whooping cough, increased from seven to 19 cases. One measles case was reported, up from zero the year before, and invasive streptococcus pneumoniae infections increased from seven to 12 cases.
The measles case, reported in May in Sheridan County, was the first in Nebraska since 2017. State health officials say Nebraska has since recorded five measles cases in roughly a month. Nationwide, pertussis cases surged in 2024, with the CDC reporting six times as many cases compared to 2023. Preliminary data shows elevated numbers continued into 2025.
Mosquito-borne illness also rose in the Panhandle. Neuroinvasive West Nile virus cases increased from three in 2024 to seven in 2025. Statewide, Nebraska reported 54 West Nile cases last year. Nationally, severe West Nile disease increased by 41 percent in 2025, with deaths up 32 percent.
The district also reported increases in several other conditions, including animal exposures, enteropathogenic E. coli infections and lead poisoning.
The full Panhandle Public Health District 2025 annual report is available on the district’s website.