According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), whooping cough cases in the US have reached a decade-high level, with 18,506 cases reported so far.
Health experts predict that whooping cough peaks every three to five years, and the current surge indicates a return to pre-pandemic levels when contagious illnesses were prevalent.
The big picture: Concerns have been raised by state health officials, particularly in Wisconsin, where the number of whooping cough cases has risen drastically from 51 cases last year to about 1000 cases this year.
- The CDC has reported a decrease in kindergarten vaccination rates, with Wisconsin recording approximately 86% vaccination coverage compared to the national rate of over 92%.
- Whooping cough, also called pertussis, typically starts as a cold with common symptoms before progressing into a prolonged cough. It can be treated with antibiotics and is part of routine childhood vaccinations.
- Outbreaks of whooping cough are affecting older kids and teens this year, as seen in instances in Pennsylvania and Nebraska, prompting the importance of early testing and treatment with antibiotics.
