Officials report several instances of whooping cough at a high school in Chicago.
Chicago Public Schools has reported that there are at least five cases of whooping cough at Lane Tech, situated in the Roscoe Village area on the North Side of the city.
Officials from the school have informed parents via a letter following the diagnosis of the cases, and the Chicago Department of Public Health is assisting CPS in overseeing the situation, as stated in an announcement.
Reports from Lane Tech reflect a growing trend across the country, with cases being documented at much higher levels in recent weeks. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports over 23,000 cases of whooping cough in the U.S. this year, which is nearly five times the number of cases reported during the same period in 2023 and 2024.
The CDC indicates that one factor contributing to the increase is the declining adherence to mitigation measures such as masking, which were more commonly practiced during the pandemic but are now gradually diminishing.
Early signs of whooping cough are usually mild and may consist of congestion, a runny nose, watery eyes, fever, and a cough. As the illness advances, symptoms intensify, leading to the buildup of thick mucus in the airways and resulting in persistent coughing, as noted by the Mayo Clinic.
Coughing episodes may lead to nausea, flushed skin, and severe tiredness.
Babies under 12 months who are unvaccinated or haven’t received the vaccine face the highest risk of serious complications.
Most teens and adults bounce back from whooping cough without any long-term issues. However, complications can arise, often resulting in problems like bruised or cracked ribs, abdominal hernias, or broken blood vessels in the eyes due to intense coughing.