Whooping cough cases rise at fastest pace in nearly a decade, mostly in children

RANTOUL, Ill. (WCIA) — The CDC said there have been four-times as many cases of whooping cough as last year. This disease along with walking pneumonia are becoming more common, especially in children.

These illnesses are highly contagious, and schools in the area are doing what they can to stop its spreading.

“It’s a highly contagious virus,” said Carle Patient Access Manager Rachel Miller.

The CDC said whooping cough cases are rising at the fastest pace in almost a decade.

“The most at-risk are children under the age of two,” Miller said. “Those older than 65, those with a weak immune system or they have chronic lung conditions.”

This can affect anyone, and now is prime time for it to spread.

“It’s around this time of year,” Miller added. “You know, I think sometimes, depending on whether things like that travels with families and whatnot, sometimes that is not an exact time frame. So, it may adjust a little bit, maybe a little bit earlier, a little bit later.”

Symptoms include fever, uncontrollable coughing, and trouble breathing.

The CDC said the uptick in cases is mostly in school age children.

“When a nurse notices that a student has symptoms, if they have a fever, they do have to go home for at least 24 hours until after the fever subsides,” said Rantoul City Schools Superintendent Scott Woods.

They’re also asking parents to help.

“I would encourage all parents to work with their kids on how to blow noses, cough into their arms and not into the air,” Woods added. “And that that really does help.”

Rachel Miller said there is no specific time or symptoms to go to a doctor. She recommends listening to your body, and when something feels off, you should go.

“If you are seeing prolonged symptoms, you may provide a follow up to see if things still are progressing and getting better,” she added.

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