Doctors across the country are reporting spikes in whooping cough cases this year, with figures at a 10-year high.In New Hampshire, there has been an increase from the last few years,but experts said it's actually a move back toward pre-pandemic numbers.>> See the latest whooping cough dataLike many other respiratory illnesses, the number of whooping cough cases decreased significantly during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, with New Hampshire seeing fewer than 10 cases each year from 2020 to 2023. This year, New Hampshire is reporting 51 whooping cough cases. While the figure is an increase year over year, the state was averaging around 70 cases each year in a period before the pandemic.>> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play <<The illness, also called pertussis, is a bacterial infection. Its early symptoms can often mirror the common cold, including a runny nose, a slight fever and a mild cough. But, those symptoms can progress and get much more serious, including a more intense cough sometimes strong enough to break a patient's ribs. State epidemiologist Dr. Benjamin Chan said the illness can be highly contagious. "This is a type of infection that can spread very easily and cause outbreaks in settings where people are mingling in close contact, like in childcare and school settings, for example," Dr. Chan said.There are effective vaccines and antibiotic treatments for whooping cough. Dr. Chan said anyone who has been feeling cold symptoms that continue to worsen should talk to their doctor about getting tested.>> See the latest whooping cough data in New Hampshire and across the US:--

Doctors across the country are reporting spikes in whooping cough cases this year, with figures at a 10-year high.

In New Hampshire, there has been an increase from the last few years,but experts said it's actually a move back toward pre-pandemic numbers.

>> See the latest whooping cough data

Like many other respiratory illnesses, the number of whooping cough cases decreased significantly during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, with New Hampshire seeing fewer than 10 cases each year from 2020 to 2023.

This year, New Hampshire is reporting 51 whooping cough cases. While the figure is an increase year over year, the state was averaging around 70 cases each year in a period before the pandemic.

>> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play <<

The illness, also called pertussis, is a bacterial infection. Its early symptoms can often mirror the common cold, including a runny nose, a slight fever and a mild cough. But, those symptoms can progress and get much more serious, including a more intense cough sometimes strong enough to break a patient's ribs.

State epidemiologist Dr. Benjamin Chan said the illness can be highly contagious.

"This is a type of infection that can spread very easily and cause outbreaks in settings where people are mingling in close contact, like in childcare and school settings, for example," Dr. Chan said.

There are effective vaccines and antibiotic treatments for whooping cough.

Dr. Chan said anyone who has been feeling cold symptoms that continue to worsen should talk to their doctor about getting tested.