As students across New Jersey head back to school, health officials are raising alarms about a significant increase in whooping cough (pertussis) infections. The highly contagious respiratory illness, spread through airborne droplets, is making a comeback after several years of relatively low incidence, with cases now climbing back to pre-pandemic levels.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the number of whooping cough cases nationwide has more than tripled compared to this time last year. In New Jersey alone, 128 cases have been reported as of August 17, up from 110 cases during the same period in 2023.
The CDC attributes the recent rise in cases to the relaxation of preventive measures, such as good hygiene and social distancing, which during the Covid-19 pandemic helped curb the spread of respiratory illnesses. “We’re now beginning to return to pre-pandemic levels, where we typically see more than 10,000 cases of whooping cough each year,” the CDC stated in its latest report. This year’s reported cases are approaching levels seen in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic.
The New Jersey Department of Health is urging residents to ensure they are up-to-date with routine vaccinations, practice good hygiene, and stay home when feeling unwell.
Whooping cough is caused by bacteria that attach to the tiny, hair-like cilia in the upper respiratory system, releasing toxins that damage the cilia and cause airway swelling. Initially, symptoms may resemble a common cold but can progress to severe coughing fits lasting weeks or even months. The illness is particularly dangerous for babies under six months old and those born prematurely, with nearly half of infected infants requiring hospitalization.
A typical case of whooping cough begins with a cough and runny nose lasting one to two weeks, followed by weeks to months of rapid coughing fits that can result in a “whooping” sound as the person gasps for air. Fever, if present, is usually mild.