Whooping cough (pertussis) infections continue to rise in the U.S., with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimating more than 17,600 cases as of Oct. 5.

Cases of pertussis also known as whooping cough are returning to pre-pandemic levels nationwide. Nebraska state officials released a health alert recommending

The CDC had documented more than 17,600 infections as of Oct. 5—more than four times those recorded at this time last year.

America is experiencing its worst whooping cough outbreak in a decade. Experts say there's a cyclical nature to outbreaks like this but that the timing was altered by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Minnesota Department of Health released updated numbers Thursday, showing the state has reached 1,019 cases for the year.