Measles Cases Are Rising. Other Preventable Diseases Could Follow
1 min read
Summary
The number of cases of pertussis, also known as whooping cough, in the US has risen significantly, from 3,473 this time last year to 7,599 in the latest CDC tally.
This decline in vaccination rates, which has seen a rise in the number of parents seeking vaccine exemptions for their children, has also led to a rise in measles and whooping cough among other diseases, as the first disease to show up is measles due to its highly contagious nature.
Last year, there were 285 cases of measles across the US; this year, there have already been more than 700.
Two children have died from measles in the current outbreak, which is centred in Texas, and two infants died of whooping cough in Louisiana in the past six months.
Nationwide, there were 35,435 cases of whooping cough in 2024, compared with 7,063 in 2023, and cases are likely to continue rising.
The disease can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia, seizures, brain damage and death, particularly among babies, who are at risk due to the interference with their breathing.
