More than 18,000 people in the United States have pertussis

According to US health officials, on Thursday, the number of cases of whooping cough in the United States could reach a record high this year.

Dr. Anne Schuchat, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said: 'There have been many cases of whooping cough in the states and the number is higher than expected.' In addition, the doctor added that pertussis has killed nine babies this year.

Currently, there are nearly 18,000 cases, twice as much as last year and the highest in the past five years, and health professionals are continuing to monitor the course of the disease.

Whooping cough is booming in the United States

According to US health officials, during the period from January to June there were more than 2,500 cases of pertussis, an increase of 1,300% compared to 2011.

Most cases of infection are teenagers between the ages of 13 and 14, despite the fact that most teenagers have been vaccinated since infancy.

According to Schuchat, what is happening in Washington state is showing that the disease is very difficult to control and the cause of the current epidemic may be due to the weakening of the vaccine against the cough. chicken.

At the same time, she added that this is the highest rate since 1970 and thinks vaccination will be very important for pregnant women and others coming into contact with babies, if it is guaranteed. This will reduce the risk of spreading the disease.

According to the researchers, the outbreak of the disease in Washington state is just the tip of the iceberg and announcements have also been sent across other states.

According to Dr. Marc Siegel, professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, the above situation occurs because the pertussis vaccine lasts only about 10 years. And according to him, although pertussis is not fatal in adolescents and adults, it can be fatal for young children and babies.