Whooping cough cases up 200% in the US
While we are seeing increases in pertussis, or whooping cough cases across the globe, with much of the attention on Europe and Asia. However, the United States is reporting large increases in the respiratory infection during the first half of 2024, in fact, a more than 200 percent increase.
From the beginning of the year through June 22, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recorded 6,685 pertussis cases. This is a 204 percent increase compared to the same period in 2023 (2,198).
States reporting the most cases include California (663), New York, excluding NYC (606) and Illinois (505).
Pertussis is a contagious bacterial infection of the respiratory system. It’s called “whooping cough” because children infected with it gasp for air between the fierce bouts of coughing that it causes.
More than half of those with whooping cough are infants. Particularly intense coughing can cause infants to stop breathing for several seconds at a time, and whooping cough can lead to pneumonia (lung infection). But it also can be treated with antibiotic medications. Once a deadly illness, it can now be prevented with a vaccine.
Initial whooping cough symptoms are mild coughing and a runny nose, which progresses into severe spasms of coughing with the characteristic "whooping" sound as the child gasps in a struggle to breathe. Coughing spells may be followed by vomiting, then dehydration and malnutrition.
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To protect newborns, doctors recommend vaccination during pregnancy. Pregnant women should receive the Tdap vaccine during every pregnancy, preferably at 27-36 weeks of gestation.
Babies up to three months have a 90 percent decreased risk of getting pertussis if their mother was vaccinated against it when pregnant.
Infants and children up to age 6 receive the whooping cough vaccination as part of the DTaP shot — diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis shot. Vaccinations should occur at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15-to-18 months and 4 to 6 years of age.
The adolescent and adult Tdap vaccine is recommended once at 11-12 years of age, and also for older teens and adults if they have not received this dose.
Older adults who are sick with a cough should avoid contact with infants and children until the illness subsides.