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Whooping Cough Cases Surge in the US, Reaching a Decade High

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Whooping cough, or pertussis, has seen a significant resurgence in the United States, with the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicating no signs of slowing down. As of mid-December, more than 32,000 cases have been reported this year — a figure six times higher than at the same time last year and the highest since 2014.

Pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory illness that often starts with mild cold-like symptoms, such as a runny nose, sneezing, low-grade fever, and a tickly cough. However, after a week or two, a severe coughing fit develops, which can be so intense that it causes vomiting or even broken ribs. These coughing fits are often accompanied by a “whooping” sound as the person struggles to breathe. The cough can persist for weeks or even months, and infected individuals can spread the bacteria for weeks after the cough begins, even if their symptoms are mild enough to go unnoticed.

During the pandemic, cases of whooping cough were significantly reduced due to social distancing measures and precautions taken against Covid-19. However, the CDC notes that whooping cough tends to peak in cycles, and the current surge in cases appears to reflect a return to pre-pandemic patterns. The number of cases has risen sharply in recent months, more than doubling since mid-September. Notably, a quarter of the cases have been reported in the Midwest, including Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin, with Pennsylvania leading all states in reported cases.

While pertussis can be serious for people of all ages, it is particularly dangerous for infants under 1 year old, whose immune systems are still developing. Babies who haven’t yet received their full vaccination schedule are especially vulnerable. Vaccination is the best defense against the disease, with the CDC recommending the DTaP vaccine for children and the TDaP vaccine for adolescents and adults.

Unfortunately, vaccination rates have fallen. For the 2023-2024 school year, only about 92% of kindergartners received the DTaP vaccine, which is below the 95% federal target. This leaves thousands of schoolchildren unprotected, and the immunity provided by the vaccine can also wane over time, making individuals more susceptible to infection.

Antibiotics can effectively treat whooping cough if administered within the first few weeks of infection, before the severe coughing stage sets in. After that, the only treatment options focus on comfort care, including rest and fluids, while the infection runs its course.

As the U.S. enters the winter season, respiratory illnesses like Covid-19 and the flu are starting to rise, though overall respiratory illness activity remains moderate.

 

One Major Challenge Facing Trump’s Chosen Health Leaders: Keeping Politics Separate from Science

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When President-elect Donald Trump announced his picks for top health leadership roles, including Dr. Janette Nesheiwat for U.S. surgeon general, Dr. David Weldon for CDC director, and Dr. Marty Makary for FDA commissioner, reactions among public health experts were mixed. These leaders face scrutiny not just for their qualifications, but for how they’ll handle the inevitable conflict between political pressure and scientific integrity.

Reactions to the Appointments

Experts generally expressed approval of Nesheiwat and Makary, but many voiced concerns about Weldon, particularly due to his controversial past views on vaccine safety. As public health agencies like the CDC and FDA are crucial in shaping health policy, the independence of these leaders will be closely watched. A central issue is whether they will maintain a commitment to evidence-based science, despite political pressures, especially with figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. – an outspoken anti-vaccine advocate – leading the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Challenges in Maintaining Scientific Integrity

Public health experts emphasized the difficulty these appointees will face in resisting external political influences. Brown University’s Dr. Ashish Jha warned that it could be “very hard to defy your boss,” referencing the challenges faced by the CDC and FDA leaders if they are pressured by someone with anti-science views like Kennedy.

Nesheiwat and Makary are seen as open-minded physicians, but experts fear that Weldon’s history of questioning vaccine safety could have a damaging influence on his leadership at the CDC. Dr. Jerome Adams, former surgeon general under Trump, raised concerns about Weldon’s previous efforts to separate vaccine safety from CDC oversight, calling it a “disastrous” move for public health if promoted again.

Vaccine Policy as a Key Issue

Vaccination policy, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, remains one of the most pressing issues for U.S. health agencies. Experts like Dr. Peter Hotez of Texas Children’s Hospital and Dr. Jennifer Nuzzo of Brown University underscored that a health leader’s stance on vaccines is a crucial indicator of their ability to make scientifically sound decisions. For example, Weldon’s past support for anti-vaccine measures raises concerns that his leadership could lead to reduced vaccination rates, with severe consequences such as measles outbreaks.

Dr. Paul Offit, a leading vaccine expert, warned that the possible return of measles, a disease previously eradicated due to widespread vaccination, could be a direct consequence of appointing leaders who subscribe to or enable vaccine misinformation.

Public Health and Political Influence

While the CDC and FDA are typically independent of political influence, many experts worry that under Kennedy’s leadership at HHS, there will be unprecedented interference. This raises questions about whether these agencies will be able to focus on public health science rather than political considerations. Dr. Hotez remarked that ensuring science-driven policy remains at the forefront is vital to avoid unnecessary public health crises.

In response to concerns about Weldon’s views on vaccines, experts like Dr. Amesh Adalja from the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security emphasized the dangers of elevating individuals with a history of promoting vaccine misinformation. If confirmed, experts fear that this could lead to the dismantling of trusted vaccine programs, reversing progress made in public health.

Uncertain Future for Makary and Nesheiwat

Makary and Nesheiwat remain somewhat enigmatic figures in the public health arena. While they have demonstrated solid medical knowledge, the concerns revolve around their ability to navigate the political environment, particularly in relation to vaccine policy. Experts like Dr. Offit hope that Makary will take a firm stance against the anti-vaccine rhetoric of figures like Kennedy, but his previous hesitations regarding vaccine-related issues leave some uncertainty.

Conclusion

The upcoming Senate confirmations for these key health roles will be crucial in determining whether politics or science will take precedence in U.S. public health policy. As experts express concern over the influence of political figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the broader public health community is watching closely to see whether Trump’s nominees will maintain their independence or succumb to political pressures.

 

Washington Confirms Four New Bird Flu Cases Among Farmworkers, Pushing U.S. Total to 31

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Four farmworkers in Washington state have been diagnosed with suspected cases of bird flu, marking a concerning trend as the virus continues to spread in farm environments and occasionally affects humans. If confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), these cases would bring the U.S. tally of human infections this year to 31. With flu season approaching, health experts are increasing their surveillance of the virus to detect any mutations that might heighten its ability to impact humans.

Virus Transmission Risks Across Six States

Washington is now the sixth U.S. state to report human cases of bird flu. The virus, which is already widely present in wild birds, poultry, and even some livestock, has led to heightened concerns as it persists across animal populations. “The longer this virus lingers, the greater the potential for it to evolve in unpredictable ways,” said Dr. Amber Itle, Washington State’s veterinarian. This unpredictable behavior, she notes, could pose a more serious risk and, in a worst-case scenario, bring the world closer to another pandemic.

While there’s no current evidence that bird flu spreads easily between people, health officials are determined to contain it within animal populations to prevent any further adaptation. According to the CDC, a federal response team will collaborate with state health departments to manage the outbreak and support prevention measures. For now, the risk to the general public remains low, though close monitoring will continue.

The CDC has ramped up its testing capabilities and collaboration with state agricultural agencies to detect and isolate new cases early. Preventative measures, including enhanced hygiene protocols for farmworkers and regular animal health checks, are in place to help mitigate risks. These proactive steps are crucial as experts assess whether existing antiviral treatments could be effective if the virus’s transmission profile changes.