The recent deaths of two infants from whooping cough in Louisiana highlight a concerning resurgence of this preventable illness, with 110 cases reported this year, compared to 154 in the entirety of last year. The uptick in whooping cough cases is part of a broader trend across the U.S., where cases rose to 35,000 last year, the highest since 2012. This increase is believed to be linked to declining vaccination rates, which have also contributed to growing measles outbreaks in nearby states.
Two infants have died of whooping cough in Louisiana in the past six months, marking the first deaths from this vaccine-preventable illness in the state since 2018.
Cases of whooping cough have been rising throughout the U.S. with 35,000 national cases last year, the highest since 2012. This increase follows a significant drop during the COVID pandemic.
The Louisiana health department indicated that declining vaccination rates for childhood diseases may be contributing to the rise in whooping cough cases and similar outbreaks of measles in Texas.
Whooping cough, caused by Bordetella pertussis, is highly contagious, with symptoms that early resemble a cold but eventually develop into violent coughing fits that can last weeks.
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