whooping cough cases, which have surged to levels not witnessed in the past twenty years. This resurgence poses significant public health concerns, particularly among vulnerable populations such as infants and those with compromised immune systems . Whooping cough, caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis, is highly contagious and can lead to severe respiratory complications if left untreated.
According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, October alone saw 408 cases of whooping cough, also known as pertussis, marking the "largest monthly total in 20 years." The number is more than double the number of cases reported in October 2023, health officials noted.
Preliminary data showed the state has recorded more than 1,900 confirmed and probable cases of whooping cough so far this year, the highest number since 2012.
COVID pandemic.
Health officials have cited a variety of factors for this year's wave of whooping cough cases, including gaps in immunity from vaccination or prior infection and the switch to safer but less effective vaccines in the 1990s.
"We have to acknowledge that our vaccination rates, in Montgomery County for school-age children, are low. They've decreased since the pandemic, and they're lower than the state of Ohio, and lower than the United States as well," said Dr. Becky Thomas, medical director of the health department for Ohio's Montgomery County.
Ohio, Montgomery County makes up the largest share of cases reported in recent months, despite not having the most people in the state. 
Health officials urge women who are pregnant to receive the vaccine and that children receive on-time vaccinations. The whooping cough vaccine is included in a shot combined with tetanus and diphtheria vaccines. Adults are advised to receive a booster shot every 10 years.
The increase in cases may be attributed to various factors, including decreased vaccination rates and waning immunity among older populations. Vaccination is crucial for controlling the spread of this disease; however, misinformation surrounding vaccines has contributed to hesitancy. The IDPH emphasizes the importance of maintaining high immunization coverage to protect both individual and community health. Public awareness campaigns are essential in addressing vaccine misconceptions and ensuring that at-risk groups receive timely vaccinations.
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