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Whopping cough up as flu season arrives in NJ

Forecast to be similar to last year [2023] or even lower

By: Scott Fallon
NorthJersey.com
USA Today Network - New Jersey

..... After a rise in cases over the summer, [2024] whooping cough is continuing to spread across New Jersey just as flu and COVID season unofficially begins this month. [10/2024]
..... The good news is that the start of flu season is the opposite of what can be said about March weather. It has come in like a lamb. Whether it goes out like a lion remains to be seen.
..... Cases of respiratory illnesses, including influenza, COVID and RSV, are low statewide, said the latest report from the state Health Department -a stark contrast to two years ago, when the season roared to a start in autumn.
..... The 2024-2025 season is forecast to be similar to last season [2023-2024] or even lower in severity, reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Experts at the agency say there is an 80% chance that peak hospitalization will be the same or lower nationally.
..... This week, [10/22/2024] New Jersey public health officials and several hospital networks began campaigns to remind New Jerseyans to get their flu and COVID vaccination. Mid- to late October is generally the best time to get the vaccines, so they will be effective during November and December holiday gatherings and still have enough strength to last into early spring , experts say.
..... "These vaccines are updated to give you the best protection from serious illness, hospitalization and death," said Dr. Kaitlan Baston, the state health commissioner.

Whooping cough on the rise

..... Whooping cough cases continue to outpace last year's [2023] numbers. New Jersey had 423 confirmed cases of the highly contagious bacterial infection, also known a pertussis, as of Octobr12. [2024] That's more than double the 176 cases at the same time last year. [2023]
..... The increase year over year was even greater nationally, with 18,539 cases, up form 4,185. It appeared to be hitting neighboring states even harder than New Jersey, including Pennsylvania, with 2,265 cases this year [2024] compared with 213 last year. [2023]
..... New Jersey health officials put out an advisory in late August [2024] about the rise, saying cases of whooping cough - forceful coughing spasms and a high-pitched "whoop" sound when the patient breathes - have been reported across the state in a mix of vaccinated infants, vaccinated school-age children and adults with unknown vaccination history.
..... New Jersey law mandates that all children entering the sixth grade be vaccinated for whooping cough. But there are outbreaks every now and then at New Jersey schools, including one at Chatham Middle School in 2019.
..... As with many respiratory illnesses, whooping cough dropped during and after the pandemic, which health officials attribute to mask-wearing and social distancing.

Slow start to flu, COVID season

..... Last year [2023] the flu seasons followed its typical course: It ramped up in November, peaked after the December holiday and travel season, and lasted through March. Two New Jersey children died from the flu last year. [2023] The year before, the season was unusual because it began in early October and was all but over by the beginning of February. [2024]
..... This season [2024-2025] has begun somewhat abnormally, October has been extremely dry and unseasonably warm, which tends to get more people outdoors, where transmission of respiratory bugs is less likely.
..... Almost two dozen strains of COVID are circulating in New Jersey, with JN.1 strain accounting for about 43% of test results as of mid-October. [2024] COVID hospitalizations have decreases in recent weeks, from 500 to 600 daily in august down to 250 to 300 in October, [2024] state data shows. COVID rates are usually at their lowest in the summer and begins ramping up in autumn.

COVID vaccine options

..... Many pharmacies have been stocked up on vaccines since last month. [09/2024] There are three choices for a COVID vaccination. Updated mRNA versions form Pfizer and Moderna, which target the emerging KP.2strain of the JN.1 linger, can be given to anyone older than 6 months.
..... A protein-based vaccine from Novavax is recommended only for those 12 years and above.
..... Holy Name medical center in Teaneck will host a webinar Wednesday [10/30/2024] from 6 to 7 PM. on respiratory illnesses that is free to the public.
..... Major hospital networks in New Jersey are encouraging visitors to wear masks but have not yet required them. Last year, [2023] many instituted requirements in December [2023] when cases spiked.

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