Rising Whooping Cough CDC Warns

According to recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), whooping cough cases in the U.S. have risen significantly compared to last year. As of this week, there have been 14,569 confirmed cases in 2024, marking a fourfold increase from the 3,475 cases reported in 2023.

Experts attribute this surge to missed vaccinations during the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact of health measures like masking, which previously reduced the spread of infections.

Dr. Tina Tan, president-elect of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, noted, “With the rise in vaccine hesitancy since the COVID-19 pandemic, we're seeing outbreaks among unvaccinated children.”

The vaccines used to protect against whooping cough, known as DTaP and TDaP, are crucial, as the disease typically manifests about a week after exposure, leading to severe coughing fits that can make breathing difficult.

The CDC indicated that whooping cough cases are now approaching pre-pandemic levels. Infants under one year old are particularly vulnerable to severe complications, with about one-third requiring hospitalization. Common complications for this age group include apnea and pneumonia.

In the week of September 14, there were 291 reported cases, with New York (excluding NYC) leading at 44 cases, followed by Oklahoma with 40, Ohio with 39, and Pennsylvania with 38.

Dr. Tan emphasized the rising incidence among adolescents and adults, highlighting the need for increased vaccination rates.