The human body is one of the most unreliable pieces of meat on this planet. You could fall down 4 flights of stars and get up without a scratch, but a bacteria smaller than you could ever see can put you out of commission for good.

A man sick in his bed looking at medicine on his nightstand
Credit: Canva
loading...

A deadly, contagious infection we thought to be eliminated has been creeping up on Arizona once again, with the highest number of cases in a decade.

Whooping Cough Returns

Across the United States, Whooping Cough has made a comeback. The respiratory illness is fueled by bacteria, and can lead to endless coughing, vomiting, and in the worst case, death.

A kid coughs while drawing
Credit: Canva
loading...

As of October of 2024, there were 491 confirmed cases of the illness in Arizona, it's highest level since 2015 (580 cases). Arizonans are suggested to take precautions, as it is a difficult illness to diagnose, and symptoms may take days, or even weeks, to appear. testing isn't always perfect, and has a 20-80% margin of error.

KWCD Country logo
Get our free mobile app

Read More

NAU Campus Shaken by Viral Outbreak

Why is it Back?

There's been a massive national movement in the past four years that has completely changed how disease travels in the United States. What is it? Fear of vaccines. Maybe it was the COVID rollout, maybe it was reasoning from before that, but lack of vaccinated children and adults has caused these diseases that we'd thought long gone to return with a vengeance.

A girl and her grandpa show off their vax band-aids
Credit: Canva
loading...

Especially with children, the Arizona State department of Health has been urging citizens to get their kids vaxxed. Around 89% of Arizona kindergarteners were vaccinated for Whooping Cough last year. They say a 95% or higher result is the only thing that can stop these spreads, as it helps ups build herd immunity.

[Arizona State Department of Health][CDC][KJZZ]

10 Things Arizona Can't Stand About Autumn

Fall is one of the most universally loved seasons, but not everyone loves the Pumpkin Spice months.

Gallery Credit: Chris

25 Reasons Californians Are Ditching The Coast For Arizona

More and more Californians are making their way to the Grand Canyon State. We welcome them with open arms, but why are they coming here?

Gallery Credit: Chris

Easily Mispronounced Names in Arizona

Arizona is home to a beautiful mixture of cultures, but because of that, names across the state may be hard to pronounce for newcomers.

More From KWCD Country