Whooping Cough on the Rise in Maine as More Cases Confirmed in Brunswick

School officials in Brunswick, Maine, have reported that students and staff may have been recently exposed to pertussis, also known as whooping cough.

On Friday, November 22, an email was sent to students and parents saying that the Maine CDC had identified at least 2 cases of pertussis at Harriet Beecher Stowe Elementary School. That was followed up on Monday, with an email reporting another confirmed case at the elementary school.

The school had reported a whooping cough case earlier in the month as well, while in late October, the Brunswick Junior High School had reported at least one confirmed case.

According to the CDC, whooping cough is a lot like the common cold but can lead to severe coughing fits that make breathing hard, sometimes with a "whoop" sound. The cough can last for weeks or months.

Brunswick is not the only Maine location dealing with a number of whooping cough cases.

WGME reported in October that Greely High School in Cumberland was dealing with multiple pertussis cases.

According to Maine Public, Maine CDC said at the start of November that there were "101 cases so far this year, compared to 76 cases for all of 2023."

While it seems that cases are on the rise in the state, whooping cough numbers are increasing across the country as well.

There have been over 16,000 cases in 2024, according to NPR, and the spread is the "worst whooping cough outbreak in a decade."

Where that number will land by the end of the year? We'll have to wait and see.

The CDC emphasizes staying up to date on vaccinations, and if symptoms like a persistent cough arise, to seek medical advice. If you or your kid is diagnosed, avoid school or work to prevent exposing others.