The U.S. has recorded over 32,000 whooping cough cases this year, compared with around 5,100 as of mid-December last year. Infants are most vulnerable to the bacterial infection.

Summary

Whooping cough cases in the U.S. have surged to over 32,000 in 2024, marking the highest annual total in a decade and a six-fold increase from 2023.

Experts attribute the rise to waning vaccine immunity, declining vaccination rates, and improved diagnostic testing.

Infants are most vulnerable, with severe cases requiring intensive care, and unvaccinated children are at highest risk.

Vaccination rates have declined despite high levels. Health officials urge vaccination to combat the resurgence, emphasizing the disease’s potentially fatal complications.

  • collapse_already@lemmy.mlEnglish
    0·
    3 days ago

    My vaccinated teen recently had this. He wasn’t diagnosed until his fourth doctor’s appointment. His cough sounded terrifying. He got instantly better when they gave him the correct antibiotic (he finished a 10 day course of augmentin with virtually no improvement earlier in his illness). He still hasn’t been completely healthy even though he has been “over it” for a couple of weeks.

    My observations: I can see how pertussis could be life threatening in the very young or old and fuck antivaxxers - we ought to have herd immunity.