Kansas City, Missouri – The Kansas City metro area is experiencing a significant rise in whooping cough cases, prompting public health officials to urge residents to revisit their vaccination schedules and adhere to basic hygiene practices.
Often considered as a childhood illness, pertussis, or whooping cough, is a bacterial infection. Still, recent statistics show that adults are equally at risk. With more than 32,000 reported cases in 2024—a dramatic contrast to the less than 6,500 instances recorded the year before—the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) indicate that pertussis cases have surged nationally. Local numbers line up with national trends; instances in Missouri and Kansas show triple-digit increases from 2023.
Part of the increase in cases can be attributed to the relaxation in preventative actions generally embraced during the COVID-19 pandemic, including social distancing and proper hand washing. Health professionals think that the drop in these behaviors has helped the bacterial infection resurgence.
Severe coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge, and fever—which can last for weeks and cause great discomfort—are symptoms of whooping cough. Health professionals stress that adults—especially those who are unvaccinated or whose last shot was more than ten years ago—may unintentionally infect others, including young children and very vulnerable adults.
Children less than one year old make the most vulnerable category. Adults around them must be appropriately immunized to protect these sensitive people from a potentially serious health risk.
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Adults should be renewing their pertussis shots every ten years, according to health experts. Although many people have childhood vaccinations, their efficacy declines with time.
Public health officials also underline the need of early symptom recognition and, should pertussis be suspected, consulting a healthcare professional. Professional diagnosis and early treatment are especially important to stop additional spread as its symptoms could match those of other respiratory disorders.
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Local health authorities are intensifying their awareness programs as the year ends to remind the public that two main defenses against the spread of whooping cough are immunization and basic hygiene. As the community works to safeguard its most vulnerable members, residents are advised to check their immunization status and engage in routine handwashing to help reduce this avoidable disease.
