United States: Whooping cough and its threat is still a concern for the general public and the healthcare officials. The health officials of Alaska has recently outlined that place has been reporting five times more confirmed cases linked to the infection.
According to the information shared by the state Department of Health, the highly contagious respiratory disease – which is also known as pertussis, have been majorly diagnosed in Southcentral Alaska during the past few months.
As of August, the health officials has reported as many as 131 cases of whooping cough; however the total number was just at 26 in 2023.
What is Whooping Cough?
Whooping Cough is caused due to a bacterial infection. The infection lead to violent as well as uncontrollable coughing. The individuals suffering with the same could also face difficulty in breathing. The illness can harm people of all ages but it is most severe for the people of younger population and infants, as in this age group it can also result in death.
The symptoms for the same are similar to common cold, including running nose, cough as well as fever and chills, which can eventually result in severe coughing spells.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the threat linked to Whooping cough has decreased across the country during and post-pandemic. However, the health agency has further mentioned that the number linked to the disease has also been spiking nationwide this year.
It is also anticipated that the number might reach the pre-pandemic levels if the intensity of the spread continues.
According to the official update, Alaska might become the state with highest number of recorded cases in the last eight (8) years. Accordingly, in the year 2016, the total number of cases of whooping cough was at 149.
After witnessing the upsurge in the cases, the health authorities have asked the general public to prevent whooping cough through vaccination, as it could be the best way to offer protection against the same.