Before a vaccine against pertussis was available, pertussis (whooping cough) was a major cause of childhood illness and death in the United States. From 1940–1945, over one million cases of pertussis were reported. With the introduction of a vaccine in the late 1940s, the number of reported pertussis cases in the U.S. declined from approximately 200,000 a year in the pre-vaccine era to a low of 1,010 cases in 1976.
Since the 1980s, the number of cases of pertussis has increased, especially among babies younger than 6 months and teenagers. In recent years, several states have reported a significant increase in cases, with outbreaks of pertussis reaching epidemic levels in some states. Many infants have died from whooping cough during this epidemic.
In fact, in the mid-1970s in the United States, whooping cough seemed to be disappearing with only about 1,000 cases reported in 1976, but since then, pertussis has made a comeback.
According to CDC Pertussis (whooping cough) is a common disease in the United States, with peaks in reported disease every few years and frequent outbreaks. In 2012, the most recent peak year, states reported 48,277 cases of pertussis — and many more cases go unreported.
During 2015, state health departments reported 20,762 cases of pertussis to CDC. This represents a 37% decrease compared to 32,971 cases reported during 2014.
Age-incidence trends observed during 2015 were similar to those in 2014 and 2013. CDC again observed increased rates in adolescents 13 through 15 years of age, as well as in 16 year olds. The majority of deaths occurred among babies younger than 3 months old. The incidence rate of pertussis among babies exceeded that of all other age groups.
The best way to prevent pertussis (whooping cough) is to get the vaccine. There are vaccines for babies, children, preteens, teens, and adults. DTaP is the childhood vaccine, and Tdap is the pertussis booster vaccine for preteens, teens, and adults.
Protecting Babies during Pertussis Outbreaks
To reduce the risk of pertussis in new mothers and their young babies, CDC recommends that pregnant women receive Tdap vaccine during each pregnancy. The recommended time to get the shot is the 27th through 36th week of pregnancy, preferably during the earlier part of this time period. During outbreaks, prevention efforts should focus on improving rates of Tdap vaccination among pregnant women to reduce serious illness and possible deaths in vulnerable babies.
References:
“All Timelines Overview.” History of Vaccines, www.historyofvaccines.org/content/all-timelines-overview.
“Center for Disease Control and Prevention”. Pertussis(Whooping Cough); Aug 7,2017 https://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/outbreaks/about.html
“Harvard Health Blog.”No big whoop: Adult pertussis may not produce the whooping cough, June 30, 2016 www.health.harvard.edu/blog/no-big-whoop-adult-pertussis-may-not-produce-the-whooping-cough-20100913358
