Whooping Cough Cases Surge: A Call for Vaccination Action
The Americas face a critical health challenge as whooping cough cases skyrocket, demanding immediate attention.
The Pan American Health Association (PAHO) has issued a stark warning: the region is grappling with a significant rise in whooping cough cases, emphasizing the urgent need for enhanced pertussis vaccine coverage. This comes as a startling increase in cases is observed across multiple countries.
In a dramatic turn, the region's case count leaped from 3,284 in 2022 to 66,184 in 2024, with 2025 on track to surpass that. Dr. Daniel Salas, a PAHO executive, stressed, "Whooping cough's resurgence underscores gaps in our immunization and surveillance systems." He further emphasized the critical importance of maintaining high vaccination rates, especially for children under five, to safeguard the vulnerable and curb outbreaks.
But here's where it gets controversial: despite the urgency, vaccination rates have slipped. During the COVID-19 pandemic, pertussis vaccination coverage declined, with 87% for the first dose and 81% for the third. While coverage rebounded slightly in 2024, significant disparities persist across countries.
The United States, for instance, has witnessed a staggering 25,057 cases in 2025, with Washington, California, and Florida leading in case counts. Peru follows with 3,200 cases, resulting in a higher death toll. Tragically, most fatalities occurred in infants under one year old.
FDA's Swift Action on Antibiotic Manufacturing
The FDA's approval of a US-made antibiotic under a new priority review program is a significant step towards addressing drug shortages and bolstering domestic manufacturing.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a US-manufactured version of Augmentin XR, an oral antibiotic, under a groundbreaking pilot program designed to expedite drug reviews. This approval marks the first under the Commissioner's National Priority Voucher (CNPV) program, launched in June, which aims to accelerate drug approvals.
FDA officials proudly announced that the approval process for Augmentin XR was completed in a mere two months, a stark contrast to the typical 10 to 12 months. This achievement is particularly noteworthy as Augmentin XR was previously on the FDA's discontinued drug products list.
The approval is a win for both USAntibiotics, the Bristol, Tennessee-based company, and the nation's drug manufacturing capabilities. It addresses the US antibiotic shortages caused by global supply chain issues and aims to prevent future shortages of Augmentin XR. The Bristol plant, once owned by GSK, is now at the forefront of this manufacturing renaissance.
The CNPV program has already engaged nine companies, with six receiving vouchers. Its focus on unmet medical needs, innovative therapies, domestic production, and drug affordability promises a new era in US drug manufacturing, as FDA Commissioner Marty Makary asserts. "We're taking control of our medical supply chains, and this approval is a powerful step towards that goal."
USAntibiotics' Patrick Cashman echoed this sentiment, stating that domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing is a national security priority. The company's voucher award underscores the importance of this initiative.
Avian Flu Strikes Again: New Outbreaks in Multiple States
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) continues to wreak havoc, with new outbreaks reported in five states, affecting commercial and backyard flocks.
The US Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has reported new HPAI outbreaks in Indiana, North Dakota, Washington, Wyoming, and West Virginia. Indiana's commercial duck meat facilities in Elkhart, LaGrange, and Noble counties have been particularly hard-hit, with over 15,000 birds affected. An additional 19,400 birds are impacted in LaGrange.
HPAI detections are more frequent during fall and spring migrations, with wild birds spreading the virus. In the past 30 days, 108 flocks have been affected, resulting in 1.16 million birds impacted.
And this is the part most people miss: the avian flu's reach extends beyond commercial flocks. In Ohio, health officials suspect HPAI as the cause of death for two vultures found in Pierce Township. This follows the discovery of over 70 dead vultures on a local school's athletic fields near Cincinnati.
Clermont County Public Health is awaiting confirmation of HPAI as the cause of death, highlighting the virus's ongoing threat to both commercial and wild bird populations.
