Sharp Rise in Whooping Cough Cases: A Return to Pre-Pandemic Levels in 2024
Whooping cough (pertussis) cases are surging in the United States in 2024, according to a major public health development. More than three times as many cases of this respiratory illness, caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis, have been reported in this period than at the same time last year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says this is a return to ‘pre pandemic patterns’ with more cases reported than in 2019, the year before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Whooping cough is a highly contagious disease of the respiratory system characterized by its severe coughing fits, and are considered dangerous regarding infants and young children. It sounds like ‘whooping’ as patients struggle to breathe after coughing because of the infection. In past times, pertussis was the leading cause of death in childhood prior to widespread use of vaccines.
In fact, it’s likely a problem of numerous factors that have led to the recent increase in cases. But during the COVID 19 pandemic, these kinds of public health efforts–such as mask wearing and social distancing–have in fact gone a small way to reducing the spread of other respiratory illnesses, like whooping cough. Nevertheless, though these have been relaxed, pertussis incidence has again risen dramatically.
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As normal social behaviors resume, the CDC’s Pertussis Surveillance and Trends report shows the number of whooping cough cases through 2024 exceed numbers from 2019, indicating the resurgence of this disease.
Waning immunity is one of the biggest factors in the increase in cases. While vaccination is the best recourse to prevent pertussis, vaccine protection wanes with time. But this decline in immunity also means that even people who have been vaccinated could become infected with the disease if they do not get booster shots as they should.
To protect at risk populations such as infants, pregnant women, and the very young, the CDC emphasizes the need to stay up to date with vaccines.
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Furthermore, good detection and reporting may also be increasing whooping cough cases. We suspect that the greater number of cases reported is due, in part, to advances in diagnostic methods and heightened awareness among healthcare providers. But the figures also suggest that vigilance against the virus remains important and people continue to follow vaccination schedules.
Pertussis prevention remains based on vaccination. According to the CDC, infants should get the DTaP vaccine, protective against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough), beginning at two months of age. Older children, teens, and adults also should get booster shots to keep immune. The Tdap vaccine is recommended for pregnant women to receive each pregnancy to passively immunize their newborn.
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Public health officials suggest good respiratory hygiene as a way to stop the spread of pertussis beyond vaccination. That means covering your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough, frequent hand washing and not being near people who are sick.
Whooping cough resurges in 2024 is a reminder that vaccination and public health steps really do matter. Moving forward it is critical that we continue to protect ourselves and our community’s from preventable diseases like pertussis. Staying informed, following vaccination guidelines and practicing good hygiene can help stop the spread of whooping cough and protect the most vulnerable of us.
Read more: Understanding MIS-C: A Rare but Serious Post-COVID Syndrome in Children
Test Your Knowledge: Whooping Cough Cases in 2024
1. Did whooping cough cases increase significantly in 2024?
2. Select the factors contributing to the rise in whooping cough cases:
3. What is the primary method of preventing whooping cough?
4. Who is most at risk for severe whooping cough complications?
Quiz created by 95Health.com
