Whooping cough infections are up to 70 times higher this year in some states - is YOUR area a hotspot?

Whooping cough infections are up to 70 times higher this year in some states - is YOUR area a hotspot? READ MORE: Alarming whooping cough outbreak dubbed 'deeply concerning' By Emily Joshu Health Reporter For Dailymail.Com Published: 17:09, 2 October 2024 | Updated: 17:13, 2 October 2024 e-mail View comments Cases of a highly contagious Victorian-era disease have increased five-fold compared to last year, health officials warn. The CDC said the US has recorded more than 15,000 cases of whooping cough in 2024 so far compared to 3,600 this time last year.

Though children are meant to be vaccinated before starting elementary school, officials noted there has been a drop in vaccination rates after the Covid pandemic. Rates of the disease, which affects all ages but is most dangerous for young children, was highest in Pennsylvania , with just over 2,087 cases. New York and Illinois followed closely behind with 1,781 and 1,058 cases, respectively.

The condition kills about one in 100 babies who become infected, including at least one infant in Alaska earlier this month, where rates have soared 70-fold. Last year, three children were killed. According to the latest CDC data, rates of whooping cough in the US are five times higher than this time last year (stock image) Your browser does not support iframes.

The bacterial illness, also known as pertussis, was common in the 1900s, had been previously controlled by vaccination. But experts warn that the surge could be blamed on more par.