The United States is witnessing a concerning rise in whooping cough cases, with the total reaching the highest level in a decade. As of December 14, over 32,000 cases of this highly contagious bacterial infection have been reported nationwide, a staggering increase from just over 5,100 cases at the same time last year. This alarming trend reflects a six-fold surge compared to 2023 and is indicative of a broader public health challenge.
Experts attribute this spike to several interrelated factors. During the COVID-19 pandemic, whooping cough cases plummeted to historically low levels, setting the stage for an expected rebound. However, this year’s figures far exceed pre-pandemic averages due to waning vaccine protection, declining vaccination rates, and improved diagnostic capabilities.
Whooping cough, or pertussis, primarily affects the upper respiratory system and typically follows a seasonal pattern with peaks in fall and winter. Initial symptoms can mimic those of a common cold—coughing, fever, and runny nose—but can escalate to severe coughing fits that make breathing difficult. The name “whooping cough” derives from the characteristic high-pitched sound made during inhalation after a coughing episode.
Dr. Dean Blumberg, chief of pediatric infectious diseases at UC Davis Children’s Hospital, emphasized the severity of the illness: “They don’t have time in between those coughs to take a breath. Sometimes, if it’s so severe, the kids end up being intubated or on a ventilator so that they can get oxygen.”
Infants are particularly vulnerable to whooping cough, facing the highest risk for infection and serious complications. Dr. Blumberg noted that most severe cases he has treated involved unvaccinated children. He expressed concern over increasing vaccine hesitancy and its impact on public health: “We’ve seen more vaccine hesitancy and, unfortunately, we’ve seen more kids who are unimmunized getting pertussis.”
The CDC recommends that all individuals in the U.S. receive whooping cough vaccinations starting at 2 months old. Infants should receive doses of the DTaP vaccine at 2, 4, and 6 months of age, followed by booster shots at 12-15 months and again at ages 4-6 years. Preteens aged 11-12 and adults are advised to receive the Tdap vaccine every ten years.
Despite high overall vaccination rates in recent years, coverage has declined slightly. For instance, while over 94% of children born between 2018 and 2019 received at least three doses of the DTaP vaccine by their second birthday, this rate dropped to approximately 92.5% for those born between 2020 and 2021.
Furthermore, among kindergarteners, vaccination rates for state-required vaccines—including DTaP—fell from 95% during the 2019-20 school year to below 93% for the current school year.
As immunity from vaccinations wanes over time, health professionals are seeing an increase in cases among vaccinated tweens and adults as well. Dr. Santina Wheat from Northwestern University noted that better diagnostic tools have also contributed to higher reported case numbers: “We now have better testing options…numbers are up, but I also think some of it is just us recognizing it more frequently.”
In light of these developments, health experts urge parents to prioritize vaccinations for their children against whooping cough. Dr. Blumberg cautioned against underestimating the disease’s severity: “We need clear and consistent messaging about vaccines. Many people have forgotten about them.”
Related topics:
- What to Give a 6-Month-Old for Cough: A Comprehensive Guide
- Cough Remedies for Infants: Safe Approaches for Patients
- Holiday Cheers Or Holiday Fears? Experts Warn Against Counterfeit Alcohol Dangers
