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FLORIDA - A dangerous respiratory illness once thought to be under control is making a comeback in the U.S., and health authorities are urging the public to take notice.
As of late April 2025, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recorded over 9,000 confirmed cases of pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, across the country.
That figure is nearly double the 4,698 cases reported by the same time last year.
The illness, which causes prolonged and severe coughing, is especially risky for infants and the elderly.
Florida is among the states seeing a sharp increase, with 468 cases already this year.
By comparison, only 96 were reported at this point in 2024, according to the Florida Department of Health.
Officials say the state is on track to reach pre-pandemic infection levels, last seen in 2019.
Experts believe several factors are driving the spike. Vaccination rates among kindergartners have dipped below 93% nationally, down from 95% in 2019, raising concerns about declining herd immunity.
Additionally, the current pertussis vaccine offers weaker long-term protection than previous versions, and new strains of the bacteria may be adapting to evade it.
In early April, a school in Weston, Florida, reported a confirmed case and held a voluntary vaccine clinic to prevent further spread.
The CDC continues to stress that staying up to date on vaccinations, including booster shots every 10 years, is the best defense against the disease.