Whooping cough cases have skyrocketed across the US, surpassing 35,435 infections in 2024, with at least 10 deaths reported. The disease, caused by a highly contagious bacterial infection, primarily affects the upper respiratory system and can be deadly for young children.
Declining vaccine rates are significantly contributing to the rise of whooping cough cases, as well as measles outbreaks nationwide. According to CDC data, more than six times as many cases were reported in 2024 compared to 2023. Texas accounts for a significant number of cases, with West Texas’s Gaines County being the epicenter of the outbreak.
Symptoms of whooping cough include a common cold-like illness, low-grade fever, mild cough, and sudden fits or attacks of rapid coughs. Infants are particularly vulnerable to serious complications, including apnea, pneumonia, and death.
To combat the spread of respiratory illnesses, health experts recommend vaccinations, good hygiene practices such as covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing, washing your hands often with soap and water, and avoiding people who show symptoms.
Source: https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2025/04/16/whooping-cough-pertussis-symptoms-vaccines/83100298007