Washington State is reporting a significant increase in whooping cough cases. In September, 2024, 816 cases of whooping cough, also known as pertussis were reported. That number compares to just 43 cases reported in the first 9 months of 2023.

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, (CDC) shows four times as many cases this year compared to last. The stats show 16-thousand confirmed cases with 2 deaths. The highest number of cases were in New York, New Jersey, Pensylvania, and on the West Coast.

Health Experts Blame the Rise in Cases on Missed Vaccinations

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The CDC is tracking the increase across the United States. Whooping cough is highly contagious. Babies under a year old are at greatest risk. It's recommended that everyone who is old enough be up to date with whooping cough vaccination.

People with whooping cough spread the disease by coughing or sneezing while in close contact with others, who then breathe in the bacteria. People with whooping cough are most contagious in the first two weeks after the cough begins.

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What Are Symptoms of Whooping Cough?

Runny or stuffed nose, low grade fever, and a mild occasional cough. Later symptoms include coughing fits usually last 1-6 weeks, however can last up to 10 weeks. People who experience these coughing fits say it's the worst cough of their lives. The fits cause people to:

• Make a high-pitched "whoop" when they inhale after a coughing fit
• Vomit during or after coughing fits
• Feel very tired after the fit, but usually seem well in-between fits
• Have difficulty sleeping at night
• Struggle to breathe
• Fracture (break) a rib

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