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Unvaccinated Babies Dying as Whooping Cough Surges
27 Nov
Summary
- Over 25,000 whooping cough cases recorded in the US this year.
- Last year saw a fivefold increase in cases compared to 2023.
- Falling vaccination rates linked to misinformation and opt-out laws.
An alarming surge in whooping cough, a disease reminiscent of the Victorian era, is causing preventable deaths among unvaccinated infants. Federal data reveals over 25,000 cases have been reported in the United States this year, marking the second consecutive year of elevated numbers. This follows a significant fivefold increase in cases observed last year.
Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by bacteria. It severely damages the respiratory tract's cilia, hindering the body's ability to clear infections. The primary mode of transmission is through coughing and sneezing, making close contact particularly risky.
Health experts express grave concern, attributing the escalating cases directly to declining vaccination rates. This trend is reportedly driven by the proliferation of antivaccination misinformation and legislative changes that simplify the process for parents to opt out of immunization, thereby endangering public health.
