The United States is experiencing a significant surge in whooping cough cases, with numbersquadrupling in less than a year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Infectious disease experts attribute this alarming trend to adecline in vaccination rates during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The CDC reported 14,569 whooping cough cases in the U.S. so far this year, a stark contrast to the 3,475 cases recorded in 2023. This surge marks a return to pre-pandemic levels, when the country typically saw over 10,000 cases annually.
Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious diseases specialist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, explains that the pandemic disrupted routine healthcare visits, leading to missed vaccinations. Children during COVID did not see their health care providers and theymay have done some telemedicine, but we can’t vaccinate through the computer, he said. And we haven’t gotten everyone caught up yet back to their routine vaccination levels.
Pennsylvania, New York, and California are currently leading the nation in reported cases. Pennsylvania alone has recorded 2,008 infections this year, nearly double the number in California.
The DTaP and TDap vaccines, which also protect against diphtheria and tetanus, offer the most effective protection against whooping cough and its complications. However, concerns about the short-lived effectiveness of these vaccines have led some experts to advocate forthe development of new vaccines.
Early symptoms of whooping cough can be easily mistaken for common colds or other respiratory illnesses, making diagnosis challenging and increasing the risk of spreading the disease. Dawn Nolt, a professor of pediatric infectious diseases at Doernbecher Children’s Hospital in Portland, Oregon, emphasizes thisdiagnostic challenge: The first week or so of illness looks like any other respiratory disease… when, in fact, it could be pertussis and you’re just spreading it around.
The CDC urges parents and guardians to ensure their children are up-to-date on their whooping cough vaccinations. Theyalso recommend that adults receive a booster dose of the TDap vaccine to protect themselves and vulnerable individuals.
This resurgence of whooping cough highlights the importance of maintaining consistent vaccination schedules, especially in the wake of public health emergencies. As the world recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, it is crucial to prioritize vaccinationefforts to prevent the spread of preventable diseases like whooping cough.
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