Louisiana sees rise in whooping cough cases

Louisiana sees rise in whooping cough cases. Here’s what you need to know

Updated: 4:55 PM CDT Apr 27, 2025

LEADERS CONCERNED RIGHT NOW AS PERTUSSIS IS ON THE RISE HERE IN LOUISIANA. THAT’S RIGHT. AND WHEN IT COMES TO PERTUSSIS, COMMONLY KNOWN AS WHOOPING COUGH, WE’VE ALREADY SURPASSED THE NUMBER OF CASES WE HAD LAST YEAR. WDSU REPORTER ARIELLE BRUMFIELD JOINS US LIVE WITH WHAT DOCTORS SAY IS LEADING TO THIS SPIKE. ARIELLE. WELL, GUYS, DOCTORS SAY THE RISE IS ATTRIBUTED TO A REDUCTION OF VACCINATIONS AGAINST PERTUSSIS AND REALLY OTHER ILLNESSES AS WELL. RIGHT NOW WE HAVE ABOUT 154 CASES ACROSS THE STATE, MORE THAN WE HAD LAST YEAR. WE’RE TOLD THIS ILLNESS ACTUALLY STRIKES AGGRESSIVELY DURING THE SUMMERTIME, BUT IT’S STILL SPRING. AND DOCTORS SAY THEY HAVE BEEN SEEING ABOUT 2 TO 3 CASES A WEEK. CHILDREN, INFANTS AND ELDERLY, THOSE ARE THE MOST VULNERABLE GROUPS RIGHT NOW BEING AFFECTED BY THE WHOOPING COUGH, AS WE KNOW. AND THAT’S WHY YOU’RE URGED TO GET VACCINATED. I TALKED TO SOME PARENTS EARLIER TODAY WHO SAY THEY HAVE PRIORITIZED THIS FOR THEIR FAMILY, AS WELL AS THEIR CHILDREN. IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR US AS A FAMILY THAT OUR FAMILY MEMBERS WERE ALSO VACCINATED SO THAT WHEN THEY WERE AROUND HER AS A BABY, THAT EVERYBODY WAS KIND OF LIKE CREATING A A SYSTEM OF HEALTH TO PROTECT HER. I HAVE A FOUR YEAR OLD DAUGHTER, AND SHE’S VACCINATED, SO THE WAY WE VIEW IT IS ANY PREVENTABLE DISEASE THAT HAS A VACCINATION, WE’RE GOING TO CHOOSE THAT OPTION. WHOOPING COUGH DOES PRESENT AS A COMMON COLD, BUT IT CAN HAVE VERY LASTING EFFECTS. IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE SOME SYMPTOMS, YOU’RE ASKED TO REACH OUT TO MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS. REPORTING IN NEW ORL

Louisiana sees rise in whooping cough cases. Here’s what you need to know

Updated: 4:55 PM CDT Apr 27, 2025

The Louisiana Department of Health has reported a high level of pertussis activity in the state. Health officials said the increase in pertussis, also known as whooping cough, started back in September of last year.Last year, Louisiana reported more than twelve times the number of cases reported in 2023 Right now there are 154 cases. That’s more than the 153 cases in 2024.Health officials encourage residents to get vaccinated against pertussis. For more information on vaccines, click here.

NEW ORLEANS —

The Louisiana Department of Health has reported a high level of pertussis activity in the state.

Health officials said the increase in pertussis, also known as whooping cough, started back in September of last year.

Last year, Louisiana reported more than twelve times the number of cases reported in 2023

Right now there are 154 cases. That’s more than the 153 cases in 2024.

Health officials encourage residents to get vaccinated against pertussis.

For more information on vaccines, click here.