Whooping Cough Returns at Alarming Rate in U.S.
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The number of whooping cough outbreaks is the worst in nearly half a century. Video by fox47news.com
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Something once nearly eliminated in the U.S. is making a return with a vengeance. More than 18-thousand cases of whooping cough have been reported so far this year. Nine babies have died. People in the state of Washington are flooding health clinics and rolling up their sleeves to get a whooping cough booster shot.
There have been more than three thousand cases of the illness reported in that state alone, more than triple the amount from last year "It's really important for teenagers and all adults to get the booster shot." Other states are seeing higher than normal activity too. According to the centers for disease control. This is the largest number of cases we've seen since the 1950's.
The CDC recommends all caretakers, especially mothers, get a whooping cough booster shot. Children with whooping cough have an uncontrollable, violent cough that makes it hard to breathe. They may also have a slight fever and flu-like symptoms. Parents who notice these symptoms should have their child checked out right away.
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