The United States is currently seeing a wave of whooping cough cases, with the total number of reported cases now nearing the 11,000 mark.
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) noted that as of the week ending Aug. 3, there have already been 10,257 total reported whooping cough cases in the country.
By weekly counts, the CDC tallied at least 259 cases of whooping cough during the first week of August. In comparison, there were only 215 weekly cases tallied towards the end of June. August's figures are now accelerating to the highest levels seen in the US for years.
Where Are Whooping Cases Highest?
By region, the CDC tallied the most number of whooping cough cases in the Middle Atlantic region with 2,883 so far this year. Weekly, the Middle Atlantic region has recorded 109 new cases of whooping cough.
Following the Middle Atlantic region with the most number of whooping cough cases to date includes East North Central (1,863), Pacific (1,705), South Atlantic (1,228), and the Mountain region (1,018).
By state, Pennsylvania has reported 1,489 whooping cases so far this year, the most recorded by any state. Pennsylvania is also reporting 45 cases weekly.
How To Protect Your Child Against Whooping Cough
Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a highly contagious respiratory tract infection marked by a severe hacking cough followed by a sudden intake of breath that sounds like a "whoop."
Typically, patients suffering from whooping cough experience cough and runny nose in the first week. The cough worsens for up to six more weeks, with some patients struggling to breathe after bursts of rapid coughing.
Whooping cough primarily affects children too young to have completed the full course of pertussis vaccinations. However, it can also affect teenagers and adults whose immunity has faded.
The best way to protect yourself against whooping cough is to get the pertussis vaccine, which is commonly given in a series of five injections. In children, it is typically given at the ages of two-months-old, four-months-old, six-months-old, 15 to 18 months, and four to six years.
