Deadly Bacterial Infection Outbreak Hits New York: 7,000 Infections Confirmed
- Niagara Action
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
A dangerous and highly contagious illness is spreading rapidly across New York with reported cases climbing at an alarming pace. Health officials say whooping cough, a bacterial infection that can be deadly - especially for infants - has surged 1,500 percent since 2021.
The New York State Department of Health warns that the disease, also called pertussis, poses serious risks.
“Whooping cough is a serious lung infection caused by bacteria. It is also very contagious and causes coughing fits. Whooping cough is most serious for babies with very small airways. It can lead to death,” the agency stated.
So far in 2025, more than 7,000 infections have been confirmed, which is already double the number recorded during the same time period in 2024. At least 10 people have died from the illness this year. By comparison, between two and four deaths were typically reported each year in the past, according to a ProPublica analysis.
Public health experts stress that babies younger than one year old face the highest danger of severe complications. ProPublica cautions that the number of infections is likely to continue rising. Researchers point to a decline in childhood vaccination rates as a major factor, a trend that began during the pandemic and continues today.
“Doctors, researchers and public health experts warn that outbreaks of preventable diseases could get much worse with falling vaccination rates and the Trump administration slashing spending on the country’s public health infrastructure,” ProPublica Analysis stated.
Health leaders say the combination of reduced vaccination coverage and the highly contagious nature of whooping cough is putting children at greater risk than ever before of contracting a life-threatening disease.
Deadly Bacterial Infection Outbreak Hits New York: 7,000 Infections Confirmed
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