A highly contagious bacterial illness, pertussis or whooping cough, is rapidly spreading across New York State, with nearly 33,000 cases reported nationwide this year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has noted a significant spike in recent weeks, six times the number of cases last year. New York State, excluding NYC, has recorded 52 cases in the past week and a cumulative total of 1,664 so far this year.
The illness is especially dangerous to infants, with complications including pneumonia, ear infections, seizures, and death. Health experts warn that those who are not vaccinated against pertussis are at greater risk of developing serious side effects. The CDC encourages parents to get the DTaP vaccine to protect their children against whooping cough, which is given in a series of four doses starting at 2 months until 18 months.
To slow the spread of whooping cough, health officials recommend that individuals who contract the illness isolate themselves until treatment and consider antibiotics to shorten contagiousness. Vaccination is key to preventing the spread of pertussis, with boosters recommended for those entering elementary and high school, as well as adults in close contact with infants.
Source: https://wibx950.com/cdc-warns-of-pertussis-outbreak