Genesee County Health Department

Release Date: March 26, 2010 End Date: April 23, 2010

Cases of pertussis, also known as whooping cough, continue to rise in Genesee

County. To date this year 15 cases have been identified which is already twice the number

normally seen in Genesee County throughout an entire year. The Genesee County Health

Department (GCHD) is informing the community of this ongoing outbreak of disease.

Spread of the infection has been seen in group settings in Genesee County. It is likely

more cases are occurring as pertussis is often an unrecognized or undiagnosed prolonged

cough illness, especially among adolescent and adult populations because they typically

experience a milder course of illness.

This outbreak of pertussis was first identified in the latter half of 2009 and the

number of cases has remained elevated. Over 50% of the cases in this outbreak have

been among adolescents and adults. Immunity from the vaccine wears off over time so

there is an important need for booster doses of pertussis vaccine in adolescence and

adulthood. The GCHD strongly recommends checking your immunization status, as well

as your children’s.

One-third of the cases have been among infants too young to be protected by the

vaccine. Young children, especially infants, are at the greatest risk for severe pertussis

disease and serious complications and it is often adolescents and adults who spread the

infection to young children. It is critical that adolescents and adults, especially those who

have contact with infants and young children, ensure that they are properly vaccinated

against pertussis.

The GCHD is reminding health care providers that pertussis is increasing in the

community and to consider it in their differential diagnoses. Those diagnosed with pertussis

should be treated with an appropriate antibiotic. Persons exposed to a case of pertussis should

make sure that they are properly vaccinated against pertussis. In some situations, those in very

close contact to a case of pertussis may need treatment to prevent the disease. Because no

vaccine is 100% effective, it is important that treatment be given to those close contacts

regardless of vaccination status.

Health care providers should also ensure that their patients are fully vaccinated.

Vaccination against pertussis is the best way to control and prevent the disease. Pertussis

vaccine is administered in combination with diphtheria and tetanus vaccine (DTaP) in a fivedose

primary series and protects children against whooping cough. The booster dose of the

vaccine that protects against pertussis (Tdap) is recommended for adolescents and adults aged

11-64 years.

Symptoms of pertussis begin like a cold and include fever, runny nose and coughing

episodes that gradually become more severe. Coughing episodes persist and become frequent

even after cold symptoms subside and can last 1 month or longer. Coughing episodes may be

severe and difficult to control and are more frequent at night. In some cases gagging and

vomiting occur after coughing spells and the person may be become blue in the face from lack

of air. Between coughing spells the person often appears well.

Anyone who has symptoms that he or she thinks might be pertussis should consult a