Situations have become alarming for U. S. as medical officials are reporting the worst figures of whooping cough in the country since the last five decades.

The reports issued by the officials are highlighting that the number of whooping cough cases are increasing at an epidemic rate and so are the experts getting tensed as they doubt that the rise in cases may affect the effectiveness of the vaccine that the industry presently has to tackle the problem.

Almost 18,000 cases have already been reported (far more than last year’s figures), confirms the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday. If this trend continues at the same pace, the day is not far when the country will be reporting the highest cough strain cases since 1959, when the figures almost crossed the line of 40,000 patients.

Health officials are especially urging pregnant women and people, who are spending most of their time with their children to stay the most cautious from the risks and get the booster shot at the earliest possible.

Nine children have already lost their lives to the strain.

"My biggest concern is for the babies. They're the ones who get hit the hardest”, said Ms. Mary Selecky, chief of the health department in Washington, one of the states with the biggest outbreaks.