Since November, the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) has warned about higher numbers of the highly contagious whooping cough, also known as Pertussis.
"The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) continues to see an increase in whooping cough cases and investigate outbreaks," ADPH confirmed to 1819 News Monday.
The uncontrollable, violent coughing caused by whooping cough often makes it harder to breathe.
Symptoms can last up to three weeks. Unfortunately, those symptoms do not develop until five to 10 days after a person is exposed, making it even more difficult to control the spread of whooping cough.
As with all infectious diseases, illegal immigration could be making matters worse. According to a 2015 article by Randy Glick with the Southern Medical Association in Birmingham, legal immigrants are required to have a medical exam, including skin tests, chest x-rays and blood tests, before entering the United States. However, those who cross the U.S. border illegally do not undergo those exams. They bring with them threats of respiratory syndromes, such as whooping cough, Glick reported. Other diseases, including tuberculosis, syphilis, gonorrhea, leprosy and other infections, are also a threat.
"Increased movement of people, animals, and goods across international borders increases the risk of exposure to health threats originating outside the United States," the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated in a 2017 study. "Novel and re-emerging pathogens including those that are difficult to recognize, detect, and/or treat can spread worldwide quickly, posing threats to national security and the DHS workforce."
The ADPH states that whooping cough is particularly dangerous to infants and young children, as well as the elderly and those with weak immune systems.
The Alabama Legislature is currently in session, and several bills combatting illegal immigration have been introduced. Those bills would establish a fee on international electronic wire transfers, require fingerprints and DNA collection from illegal aliens in law enforcement custody, make it illegal to harbor an illegal alien and invalidate illegally obtained driver's licenses.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
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