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.

  • smokebuddy [he/him]
    8·
    1 day ago

    I’ve been dealing with confirmed whooping cough for 2 months now, it’s the worst. When I got it, I saw a doctor, got tested and went on a week of antibiotics… thought it was over until I had to run for a bus and had no lung capacity. Even still, felt better until getting a common cold a month later and the whole thing returned and won’t go away. It’s not just the cough, it’s also splitting migraines and whole body pain emanating from the ribs from coughing so much and so violently, and a lack of sleep and all those symptoms too. Luckily it was just me who got the worst of it.

    This past Friday, the schools just sent home a letter advising Scarlet Fever is rampant, never ends.