Health Care experts are sounding the alarm on a highly contagious respiratory disease on the rise in Virginia. It comes about as cases of whooping cough have tripled compared to last year which has infected more than 12,000 people in the U.S this year.
Virginia is seeing one of the biggest spikes: from 66 cases last year to nearly 400 cases in 2024, five times the rate.
According to VDH anyone can get whooping cough but it’s most dangerous for children under one. Virginia is seeing one of the biggest spikes and they say the increase is driven by outbreaks in group settings.
Meredith Robinson, VDH and Vaccine Preventable Disease Coordinator said, “Some complications can include pneumonia and even rib fracture due to the severity of coughing. We really want people to seek care and speak with their doctor if they believe they have pertussis.”
Watch related video:
‘Knowledge is power:’ Seminar puts spotlight on women’s health, cancer risks
Whooping cough is a scary sound no parent wants to hear. News 3 reporter Kelsey Jones spoke with Meridith who says pertussis also known as whooping cough can spread by people coughing or sneezing while in close contact with others, who then breathe in the bacteria.