The whooping cough outbreak claiming infant lives
Another baby has died in the UK, bringing the death toll from the outbreak to 10
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Remember that cough you thought was harmless? Think again. Whooping cough, a highly contagious respiratory illness most of us associate with childhood, is making a startling comeback. This isn't just an echo of the past–it's causing outbreaks and even deaths in countries around the world, including the US and Europe. And don't let the name fool you: whooping cough can be far more serious than a simple cough, with potentially devastating consequences.
The UK has been grappling with this grim reality all year. According to the UK Health Security Agency, the current outbreak surpassed 10,000 cases between January and June of 2024. The majority of these cases affected those aged 15 and above, but 300 of the cases were babies under three months, who are at the highest risk from the illness. Sadly, August saw the 10th infant death as a result of whooping cough in England. Pregnant women in the UK have been urged to get vaccinated so their babies are born with protection against the dangerous disease.
According to the CDC, whooping cough claims the lives of an estimated 160,700 children under the age of five every year across the globe. That's a sobering statistic. But before you hit the panic button, take a deep breath. This guide will be your one-stop shop for understanding whooping cough's resurgence. Click through to learn more, and help protect yourself starting today.
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