Forbes Cases of whooping cough are more than six times higher than they were this time last year, statistics from the Centers for Disease Control show.
Officials reported 553 cases for the week ending December 7 — the most recent figures available — compared to 105 in the same week last year.
Whooping cough is a highly contagious disease that can cause persistent coughing fits and make it hard to breathe.
Also known as pertussis or “100-day-cough”, it can lead to serious illness and even death. Infants, who may experience less obvious symptoms, are at the greatest risk from whooping cough.
But a vaccine offered to all pregnant women and babies offers good protection against the disease in infancy.