Across the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows more than 25,000 cases of whooping cough have been reported so far this year. Last year, it was a little over 5,000 cases.

Whooping cough — highly contagious and potentially dangerous — has surged in California to levels not seen since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is experiencing a worrying resurgence in the United States. Health experts are urging increased awareness as the number of cases has surged dramatically, surpassing previous yearly averages.

Health officials say the contagious bacterial infection is becoming more prevalent. This time last year, North Carolina only had 83 cases.

Here are this morning’s top stories with KELOLAND On the Go. Whooping cough cases in South Dakota are up more than 400 percent over the five year average. According to the State Health Department website 170 cases have been reported so far this year.

Washington state officials warned of a "sharp increase" in whooping cough cases compared to this time last year, mirroring a nationwide trend.

Washington state is experiencing a spike in whooping cough cases with nearly 1,200 reported cases so far this year, that's up from 51 cases reported last year.

We’re seeing common pre-pandemic illnesses return with a bit of a vengeance,” said Dr. Michael Koster, of Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence.

Over 200 cases of whooping cough have been reported in Arkansas this year. That's more than five times the amount of cases from 2023, according to the state health department.

California's cases of whooping cough are more than six times as high as last year, and in Los Angeles County, reports of the infectious disease rose by nearly 119%. It reflects a trend seen across the U.

Whooping cough levels are at their highest since pre-pandemic in California, mirroring similar patterns elsewhere, say scientists.