The first case of whooping cough that may be resistant to the vaccine may have been detected by researchers.
This discovery, reported by Associated Press on Thursday, may account for the reason that the U.S. was ravaged by the highest numbers of whooping cough in approximately sixty years.
This latest strain, which was already observed in Japan, Finland, and France - has reportedly shown up in a dozen such cases in Philadelphia.
"It's quite intriguing," said Dr. Tom Clark of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "It's the first time we've seen this here."
Whooping cough was once far more common than it is now. A vaccine in the 1940s decreased case numbers significantly, though the disease remains "most dangerous in children." It can still strike anyone of any age.
A version of the vaccine that has been used for the last twenty years seemingly lasts for a shorter duration of time, and thus is being held partially responsible for some as a reason for a slight increase in the disease over the years.
The Center for Disease Control reported more than 40,000 cases of whopping cough in 2012, and 18 deaths.
Though experts said that the disease is no more deadly than previous iterations, there is some consensus that the lower effectiveness of the current vaccine may be a reason for why "more people are getting sick" as of late.
The new whooping cough strain was first discovered in France, and is attributed to having caused 14 percent of all cases in that country, according to Nicole Guiso of the Pasteur Institute.
This new version of whooping cough was first observed in patients at Philadelphia's St. Christopher's Hospital for Children.
"We definitely need some more information about this before we can draw any conclusions," the CDC's Clark said.
Whooping cough is highly contagious and symptoms include:
- intense cough
- inspiratory whoop
- vomiting after coughing
It is always best to consult with a physician before making any determinations about medical assistance.
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