Whooping Cough Cases are on the Rise on the West Coast

Oct 14, 2024 - One in three babies who get whooping cough require hospitalization, according to the CDC. Dr. Eric Chow, the chief of epidemiology and immunization at Public Health – Seattle and King County stresses the importance of vaccination. Experts say there are a few reasons for the increase in cases, including: More providers are testing for whooping cough, so more cases will be identified, and possible mutation of the bacterium that causes the disease.