Whooping Cough Continues to Surge, Sickening Thousands of People
Whooping Cough infections are surging in the US this year as 8,485 people have been sickened so far this year – nearly twice as many cases confirmed at the same time in 2024. By the end of 2024, the US confirmed over 35,000 cases, marking the worst year for whooping cough cases in over a decade. The bacterial infection killed 10 people last year, 6 of whom were infants. Experts points to falling vaccination rates as a major cause of the disease’s resurgence.
Full Story: CNN, The Conversation
Measles Outbreaks Show No Signs of Slowing Down, As Outbreaks Spread Across North America
Measles continues to spread across the continent, as the US, Mexico and Canada battle sustained outbreaks. The continent’s three largest measles outbreaks now total 2,500 cases, including 4 deaths. The three outbreaks all connected to each other as travelers have introduced the virus to communities with low vaccination rates in the three countries. The first major outbreak of the year began in Ontario Canada in January, which quickly spread to West Texas, and then to Mexico by mid-February. The US’s biggest outbreak, centered in Texas, has at least 683 cases. Mexico’s state of Chihuahua has 786 cases since the middle of February. Six out of the 10 Canadian provinces have experienced measles cases. Ontario has reported 1,020 infections and Alberta has reported at least 83 cases.
For the Americas region as a whole, the risk level is considered “high” whereas other world regions fall in the “moderate” risk level.
Full Story: Associated Press
