Cough Cases Double to 8,077 in 2025 as CDC Raises Alert

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1. Whooping cough cases have soared to 8,077 in 2025—more than double last year's count, alarming public health officials nationwide.

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The distinctive gasping "whoop" sound gives this potentially deadly bacterial infection its name, but infants often can't produce this sound and instead may stop breathing entirely.

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1. One-third of infants under one year who contract pertussis require hospitalization, with a 1% mortality rate among complicated cases.

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"Whooping cough is most severe in young children, particularly infants under one year of age, especially those who haven't received their initial vaccinations," warns Dr. Nicolas Cortes-Penfield.

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Early pertussis symptoms resemble a common cold—runny nose, mild cough, low-grade fever—before progressing to severe coughing fits that can last for weeks or months.

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CDC data confirms pertussis is "very contagious and can spread easily from person to person," making community vaccination crucial for protecting vulnerable populations.

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1. The "cocooning strategy" creates a protective bubble around infants by ensuring all household members and caregivers are fully vaccinated.

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How protected is your family? Children need five DTaP doses by age 6, adolescents need a Tdap booster, and adults need boosters every 10 years.

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1. Pregnant women should receive the Tdap vaccine during each pregnancy's third trimester, passing critical antibodies to their newborns.

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1. Studies estimate pertussis costs range from $315 to $2,269 per case, with nearly 40% attributed to lost work time and caregiver burden.

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[{"selector":"#anim-35e20ba5-4dc6-4937-8490-892a33ef0b98","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fccf7117-50ef-44d8-9596-8ae1cd3ec6b4","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 133.39558%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Rising kindergarten vaccine exemption rates—now 3.3% nationally and exceeding 5% in 14 states—create dangerous immunity gaps in communities. Representative Image. Photo Source: Asian Development Bank (CC BY-NC 2.0)

[{"selector":"#anim-2d192b4a-a2fc-4d06-ac64-a5e2243c3cd3","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-eb4f4af6-0d9a-4ba0-9611-fc8be2018180","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -114.48664%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] 1. Alameda County Health warns: "Don't wait. Get your Tdap vaccine today!" as cases continue rising across California and nationwide. Representative Image. Photo Source: SELF Magazine (CC BY 2.0)

[{"selector":"#anim-f628b2c9-962a-4289-bc7d-d316a6a889cf","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-23c8764c-5758-46d7-a23e-4869f6ca610a","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -162.08157%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Antibiotic treatment works best when started early, and close contacts need prophylactic antibiotics within 21 days of exposure. Representative Image. Photo Source: Pixabay (Pixels)

[{"selector":"#anim-5a5524c2-23cc-4f99-a5f9-ca930dfd125c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2c0d187c-98e5-438c-a730-514d70aa4e48","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -162.58791%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] 1. What's your family's vaccination status? Check records today—this preventable disease is making an alarming comeback. Representative Image. Photo Source: DFID (CC BY 2.0)

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