US Whooping Cough Cases Surge to 17,600, Pennsylvania Hardest Hit

Oct 12, 2024, 02:30 PM

The United States is experiencing a significant whooping cough outbreak, with cases reaching the highest levels since 2014. Experts have noted a more than 340% increase in cases compared to the same time last year, with the total number of infections climbing to over 17,600. Pennsylvania has been hit the hardest, with nearly 2,200 cases reported, outpacing every other state. Health officials are particularly concerned about areas with low herd immunity due to insufficient vaccination rates. In Wisconsin, cases were reported to be 10 times higher than last year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has highlighted that the surge follows a sharp decline in cases during the COVID-19 pandemic. Medical experts are urging the public to ensure vaccinations, particularly the Tdap and DTaP vaccines, to help control the spread of the disease.