New Warning About Whooping Cough Cases on the Rise

Just as students prepare to return to classrooms, health officials are sounding the alarm over a troubling resurgence of whooping cough, also known as pertussis — a highly contagious respiratory illness that can be especially dangerous for young children. New data reveals a sharp uptick in reported cases nationwide, with outbreaks being closely tracked in several states. The warning comes at a critical time: schools are reopening, and children will once again be in close contact in classrooms and on playgrounds.

What’s fueling the rise? Public health experts point to a concerning trend: more kindergartners than ever before are opting out of routine childhood vaccinations, including the DTaP vaccine — which protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. According to the latest figures, exemption rates are at an all-time high, raising fears of renewed outbreaks not only of whooping cough but other preventable diseases as well.

Whooping cough often begins with cold-like symptoms, but can quickly progress to severe coughing fits that make it hard to breathe. It can be particularly dangerous — and even deadly — for infants and young children who are not fully vaccinated. Health officials are urging parents to check their children's immunization records and ensure they’re up to date before the new school year begins.