Whooping Cough Surge in Washington State and Ireland

Washington state is currently experiencing a significant surge in whooping cough cases, with 590 cases reported as of early March, a stark rise from last year's 80 cases. This highly contagious disease, also known as pertussis, poses particular risks to infants too young to be fully vaccinated, as emphasized by Dr. Edward Leonard and other health officials. Vaccination is the most effective prevention strategy, with the Washington State Department of Health recommending the DTaP and Tdap vaccines for children, adults, and pregnant women. In Ireland, a similar pattern of pertussis outbreaks was observed last year, attributed partly to the aftermath of COVID-19 lockdowns. The Health Service Executive (HSE) in Ireland continues to urge pregnant women to receive the whooping cough vaccine to protect newborns, noting a high rate of hospitalizations among infected infants. Health experts, including Dr. Ciara Martin, stress the life-threatening risks of pertussis for babies and advocate for maternal vaccination as a critical protective measure.