The US has seen a record number of whooping cough cases this week, with at least 364 reported to health authorities, surpassing the previous Thanksgiving record of 228 cases in 2010. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported the increase ahead of Thanksgiving, which typically sees a slowdown in cases due to delays in testing and reporting.
This year’s surge is part of a broader national trend, with weekly reported cases reaching 577 – more than 10 times the same time last year. Ohio has seen the most cases at 84, with the majority coming from schoolchildren and daycares.
Health officials point to low vaccination rates among school-age children as a contributing factor. Dr. Becky Thomas, medical director of Montgomery County’s health department, said that over 63% of reported cases have been in schoolchildren, while only around 12% are in daycare centers.
The surge also coincides with the return of COVID-19 and flu infections this winter. Health officials are encouraging people to stay home when sick, practice good hand hygiene, get vaccinated, and seek medical care if symptoms worsen or severe.
In an effort to address the issue, Dr. Thomas emphasized the importance of booster doses for teens who should have received one by age 12. The department is also working to improve vaccination rates among entering seventh graders.
Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/whooping-cough-record-thanksgiving-2024