The disease is very contagious and in rare cases can be fatal, especially for babies too young to be vaccinated. Whooping cough starts like a cold but leads to severe coughing that can last for weeks.
21,000 had whooping cough last year, CDC says
ATLANTA, GA
The new numbers were reported at a vaccine advisory committee
meeting in Atlanta. Health experts are puzzled by the recent spike
in cases. The vaccine against whooping cough is highly effective in
children, and vaccination rates for kids are considered good.
