Whooping cough, a disease many people assumed was long under control, is making a dramatic and unsettling comeback. Across the United States and around the world, health officials are reporting sharp increases in cases, hospitalizations, and school‑based outbreaks. For families, especially those with infants, this resurgence raises urgent questions about risk, prevention, and why a vaccine‑preventable illness is suddenly back in the headlines. Here’s what you need to know about the return of whooping cough — and why it’s spreading faster than expected.
