Whooping Cough Cases Surge, CDC Warns of Rising Impact on Infants
DELAWARE — A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed a dramatic surge in whooping cough cases across the country. Infection cases are five times higher than this time last year, with alarming increase rates in Delaware and Pennsylvania.
Whooping cough, a highly contagious respiratory disease, is particularly dangerous for infants. The CDC reports that nearly half of the diagnosed infants require hospitalization, raising alarm about the severity of the disease.
Approximately 3,000 reported U.S. whooping cough cases in 2023. However, this year’s data skyrocketed with over 17,000 cases thus far. While this five-fold increase is concerning on a national level, some states have experienced even sharper rises. Pennsylvania reported a ten-fold increase, New Jersey’s climbed by 2.6-fold, and Delaware stands out with a staggering 17-fold rise in confirmed infections.
Health experts attribute this spike to the widespread return to pre-pandemic activities. During the COVID-19 pandemic, restrictions such as mask-wearing and social distancing have limited the spread of many infectious diseases, including whooping cough. Now, with the easing of such measures, whooping cough has regained momentum, spreading rapidly among unvaccinated populations.
Officials urge communities to take immediate action to curb the disease’s spread. Health professionals encourage both adults and children to get vaccinated, wash their hands frequently, and stay home if they are ill.
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