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Public health officials say whooping cough cases have more than doubled in 2024 compared to the same time in 2023.
Whooping cough is a highly contagious respiratory virus. It most often affects young children, but it can be contracted by anyone who isn’t immunized.
A pediatrician from Michigan Health says the COVID-19 pandemic is just one reason why cases are rising.
“When we were in the pandemic, we had various measures for social distancing, and masking to try to help decrease the spread of COVID that not only help decrease the spread of COVID has also helped decrease the spread of other respiratory viruses and whooping cough. There’s a greater awareness that whooping cough is in our communities,” said pediatrician Debra Langois.
At first, whooping cough can look like any respiratory virus, but it lasts much longer.
People with the illness often have major coughing spells resulting in a “whooping” noise.