Whooping cough cases surge 5x from last year. Experts explain the rise

Whooping cough

cases have seen a massive spike in the United States this year. The number of cases is almost five times compared to previous year, raising concern among health authorities. According to the CDC, whooping cough cases, which declined during the pandemic, may now be returning to pre-pandemic levels.
A total of 17,579 cases of

pertussis

or whooping cough have been reported in the country, which is five times the number of cases documented by this time last year. The figure is even greater than what was witnessed at this time in 2019.

Dangers of Whooping cough

Whooping cough, which is preventable by vaccine, mainly affects children and usually starts as a mid illness displaying flu-like symptoms such as runny nose, low grade fever, or sore throat. However without treatment, it may turn severe, putting the little ones at risk of life-threatening complications.
Infants affected by it may gasp for air in between the coughing fits, letting out a sound which is called whoop. Since the airways of infants are small, they may struggle to breathe when overpowered with coughing fits.

Reasons behind whooping cough surge

The main reason why whooping cough is on the rise is expecting mothers missing their vaccination and the missed routine vaccinations by children during pandemic years.
“The usual vaccination process has been interfered with by the COVID-19 pandemic, which left more people vulnerable, especially infants and young children, who are at a greater risk of serious complications,” says Dr. Kuldeep Kumar Grover, Head of Critical Care & Pulmonology, CK Birla Hospital Gurugram.

“The waning immunity associated with existing vaccines is also contributing to the rise in cases. The DTaP vaccine, effective in protecting approximately 98% of children within a year of vaccination, sees a substantial decline in efficacy over time. By five years post-vaccination, this protection drops to about 70%. Similarly, the Tdap vaccine, administered to adolescents and adults, shows diminished effectiveness over the years, protecting only 30-40% of individuals four years after the last booster,” says Dr Nikhil Modi, Senior Consultant in Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi.

Symptoms to watch out for

Whooping cough symptoms

can range from sneezing, runny nose, fever, watery eyes and fits of coughing. As the infection can often restrict breathing, people’s lips, tongues and nailbeds may turn blue from lack of oxygen.
Experts observe that many adults with pertussis hardly recognize it and only a small percentage of people get diagnosed. One of its symptoms in adults is a severe cough which occurs while eating or sleeping. Sometimes, it’s so intense that people can faint from struggling to breathe or break ribs from coughing.

How it spreads

Whooping cough can spread easily among people through sneezing, coughing or even breathing in the particles containing bacteria. It is treated with the help of antibiotics that can help reduce the severity of symptoms and prevent the spread of the infection if taken early.
Experts suggest that parents vaccinate their children along with booster doses so that the chances of whooping cough in them are controlled and various vulnerable groups are ensured sufficient protection.
It is crucial to address whooping cough as not treating the infection on time can lead to life-threatening complications such as pneumonia, seizures, and even death.