Cases of whooping cough continue to surge, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. By mid-December they were about six times higher than last year.
Whooping cough cases in the U.S. have hit their highest level in more than a decade, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
By mid-December, more than 32,000 cases had been reported — about six times more than last year at the same time.
Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a contagious respiratory illness spread through bacteria transmitted through the air.
For many, the infection starts with cold-like symptoms — a runny nose, sneezing, a low-grade fever and a tickly cough — but a painful, full-body cough can develop within a week or two.
The coughing fits can be so severe that patients suffer broken ribs. They’re often accompanied by a whooping sound as the person tries to catch their breath.
CDC data shows reported cases have been climbing sharply for months and have more than doubled since mid-September.
About a quarter of them were reported in the Midwest including Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin. Pennsylvania has been hit hardest with the most cases to date.
The CDC says vaccination is the best way to protect against whooping cough. The agency recommends kids get the DTaP vaccine and adolescents and adults get the TDaP vaccine.
But during the 2023-2024 school year, only 92% of kindergartners had gotten their DTaP – far fewer than the federal target of 95%.
Antibiotics can help if the infection is caught early but once the coughing fits start, the only treatment is plenty of rest and fluids while the infection runs its course.
Source: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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