Currently, there is a resurgence in whooping cough, a respiratory infection that had previously been subdued but is now experiencing a resurgence. According to federal data, the number of whooping cough cases in Ohio conspicuously doubled within a year, rising from 800 in 2023 to about 1,600 by mid-December of the subsequent year. The nationwide incidents of this highly contagious disease are at a ten-year high, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed in October.
Dr. Amy Edwards, the associate medical director of pediatric infection control at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, explains that the primary cause for this resurgence is the steady decline in vaccination rates over recent years. The vaccine’s usage has shrunk, creating a larger population of unprotected individuals and thus facilitating the disease’s spread. Added to this issue, our natural immunity has also weakened due to lesser exposure to whooping cough and other respiratory infections during the COVID-19 pandemic, given the protective measures like mask-wearing and social distancing.
Dr. Donald Dumford, an infectious disease specialist at the Cleveland Clinic points to the cyclical nature of whooping cough, which typically sees an increase every three to five years. However, the current spike seems exaggerated, possibly due to the aforementioned factors concerning immunity.
Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is characterized by a severe cough followed by a gasp for breath that produces a ‘whooping’ sound. It spreads primarily through droplets released by coughs and sneezes. Individuals can protect themselves by maintaining respiratory hygiene and seeking vaccination.
The disease is especially dangerous for babies younger than a year, people with compromised immunity, and those with asthma. The midwest has seen a significant surge in whooping cough cases – with Michigan and Pennsylvania experiencing dramatic increases from 2023 to 2024.
Babies, adults, and pregnant women are encouraged to receive the DTaP vaccine for diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. Despite the proven effectiveness of this vaccine in reducing the serious impacts of whooping cough, immunization rates are falling. This calls for more concerted efforts to uphold vaccine compliance, considering the importance of vaccination in controlling the outbreak of such diseases.