Now, the CDC says 2whooping cough cases are the highest they've been in a decade in the U.S., with no signs of slowing down.

"What this bacteria does is it, it attaches to the cells that line the 3airways, they're called 4cilia, the sort of hair-like cells, and damages those cells and creates a 5tremendous cough."

There have been more than 33,400 cases reported this year through December 21st according to 6preliminary CDC data.

Early treatment with 7antibiotics may 8lessen the 9severity of the infection, but experts say this disease is also 10preventable through vaccination.

"11Prior to the 1940s, when vaccinations were not that common in the United States, about 9,000 kids would die per year in the United States."

In the U.S., the vaccine coverage rate that protects against whooping cough was just over 92% for the 2023-24 school year. A decrease from the year before, and coverage for all vaccines decreased in most states.

"As this rate drops, the level of infection in the community rises. And so far this year, we've seen about 6 times more whooping cough than we did last year."

Those at highest risk of getting severely sick include young children, those with certain medical conditions like 12asthma, and anyone with a weakened immune system.

"We can vaccinate children and we really need to get back to sort of a 13sane environment where parents are really taught that these childhood illnesses are unnecessary."