As the Texas measles outbreak escalates, it has become the most significant resurgence since the disease was declared eradicated over two decades ago. This alarming surge has been compounded by another public health concern: whooping cough, or pertussis, which is rapidly increasing across the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there have been 8,472 reported cases of whooping cough this year — a staggering increase from 4,252 cases at the same time last year.
The rise in whooping cough cases could signal the largest outbreak of this highly infectious bacterial disease in nearly 75 years. The CDC has reported at least three fatalities from whooping cough this year, including a tragic death of a child under five in Washington state — marking the first death in the area from this disease since 2011. Typically, the whooping cough claims about ten lives annually in the US, primarily affecting infants under one year old, who are most vulnerable.
Despite the effectiveness of the would whooping cough vaccine, which provides 98 percent protection after five doses, the effectiveness diminishes over time. Currently, only 92 percent of kindergarteners are vaccinated against whooping cough, falling short of the 95 percent vaccination rate needed to achieve herd immunity.
Meanwhile, the measles outbreak in Texas has surged to over 624 cases, with additional infections reported in at least four other states, totaling 115 cases nationwide. Tragically, two unvaccinated girls, aged six and eight, have died due to complications from this outbreak. In a private meeting, CDC officials expressed grave concerns, stating that this is the most significant measles outbreak in the US since 2000, when high vaccination rates led to the disease's eradication.
Experts warn that the ongoing measles outbreak in Texas could jeopardize the nation's measles elimination status and may persist for over a year if vaccination rates do not improve.
Whooping cough spreads easily through coughs and sneezes, with initial symptoms resembling those of a common cold, such as a runny nose, fever, and mild cough. Within five to ten days, patients typically develop the characteristic severe coughing fits, which can lead to difficulty breathing and the signature "whoop" sound when inhaling. This disease poses a significant threat to infants, with data indicating that approximately one in 100 infants under six months who contract whooping cough may die from it.
In addition to fatalities, those who survive whooping cough may face increased risks of serious complications, including brain damage. Recently, two infant deaths have been reported in Louisiana, and an adult in Idaho succumbed to the disease in February. The vaccination status of these individuals remains unclear.
Chad Neilsen, the head of infection control and prevention at Nemours Children's Health in Florida, cautioned that the US could be on track for its most significant whooping cough outbreak since 1950 if the current trend continues. "If we maintain this pace, we could see nearly 70,000 cases of pertussis," he stated, which would surpass the totals of previous years.
In a poignant plea, a mother from the UK shared her story to raise awareness about the importance of vaccination against whooping cough. After her son was left with brain damage from contracting the disease at just 11 days old, she emphasized the critical need for parents to vaccinate their children. The DTaP vaccine, which protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis, is administered in five doses beginning at two months of age, with booster shots recommended every ten years.
Data indicates that only 92.3 percent of kindergarteners were vaccinated against whooping cough for the 2023-2024 school year, a drop from the pre-COVID pandemic figure of approximately 95 percent. This decline is concerning, as achieving high vaccination rates is essential to preventing outbreaks.
Healthcare professionals urge everyone to get vaccinated, not only to protect themselves but also to safeguard vulnerable populations and those with underlying health conditions. The Pacific region, including Washington, Oregon, and California, has reported the highest number of whooping cough cases this year, with Washington state alone accounting for 941 infections. The Midwest, comprising states like Illinois and Indiana, follows with 1,794 cases.
With an average of about 10,000 whooping cough cases and 10 deaths reported annually in the US, the current surge in infections highlights the urgent need for increased awareness and vaccination efforts. Last year alone, more than 17,500 infections were documented, underscoring the ongoing threat of this vaccine-preventable disease.
