Whooping cough is making headlines this fall amid significant spikes of cases across the United States, marking the highest surge seen since almost a decade ago. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 291 new cases for the week ending September 14, 2024, and this alarming uptick coincides with the back-to-school season.
This year's totals reveal more than 14,569 cases to date—over four times the number reported at the same time last year. Jonathan Sinks, the CDC's spokesperson, noted the resurgence is particularly concerning since it indicates we are witnessing some of the highest weekly infections of Bordatella pertussis since tracking began, as cases have been climbing steadily since March.
New York tops the list among states with the highest number of recent infections, reporting 44 cases within the last week alone. Following closely behind are Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Oklahoma, each registering at least 38 cases. These numbers highlight the national scope of this outbreak.
This increase isn't just statistical; it's been personal for many families. A family from South Jersey shared their unsettling experience when their eight-month-old baby fell ill with whooping cough, emphasizing the serious health risks posed by this disease. Parents expressed their distress over the baby's prolonged coughing fits, which are characteristic of the illness.
Unfortunately, this isn't just limited to infants. Pertussis can impact people of all ages, and the median age of current cases seems to be around nine years old, illustrating how the disease can be passed on to children and teens from adults who may be unaware they are infected.
The health community has warned for some time about the potential for breakthrough cases among vaccinated individuals, especially as older children and adults have shown increasing susceptibility to infections. Pertussis cases have risen sharply largely due to the shift to different vaccine formulations after the 1970s, which, though causing fewer side effects, are believed to be less effective against transmission.
Regrettably, much of the recent surge can be traced back to high school students. A health department alert from Pennsylvania noted outbreaks have occurred even during summer months when schools were closed, and with school now back in session, officials are bracing for the possibilities of even more cases arising.
Officials recorded substantial increases across various age groups, adding to the complexity of the outbreak. The New York State Health Department reported around 40% of the cases this year were among teens aged 15 to 19. At the same time, Oklahoma reported cases among the elderly—all indicating this resurgence is affecting a broad demographic.
To combat the rising numbers, there is currently discussion about conducting human challenge trials by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These trials, which aim to intentionally infect vaccinated participants with the bacteria, are seen as a potential way to expedite the development of more effective vaccines against whooping cough. A panel of advisors is set to meet soon to weigh the feasibility of these trials and the potential for new vaccines for booster shots aimed at adults.
Current vaccination efforts include recommendations from the CDC for various pertussis shots for both children and adults, including the Tdap booster every ten years. Unfortunately, statistics reveal about 39% of adults have received the vaccine booster within the last decade, which lags behind the needed immunization levels to create community-wide immunity.
What adds another layer to the complexity of this situation is the emergence of potential new mutations within circulating strains of the bacteria, which could be affecting vaccine effectiveness. Health experts stress the importance of improving vaccine uptake to control this rising threat.
Overall, as the back-to-school season continues and social activities ramp up, health officials urge greater awareness and stronger vaccination efforts to combat this years' troubling wave of whooping cough. The hope is to see collaboration among parents, schools, and healthcare professionals to curb the spread of this easily transmittable disease.
