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For Immediate Release: July 3, 2003 (03-116)
Contacts:
Cindy Gleason, Immunization
Program 360-236-3569
Kate Lynch, Communications Office
360-236-4072
Western Washington’s whooping cough cases going up
Health Department urges immunizing children and protecting infants
OLYMPIA ¾ Recently, King and Pierce counties have reported increases in the number of cases of pertussis disease, commonly known as whooping cough. The Department of Health is urging parents to make sure children’s immunizations are current and to protect infants from adults and older children who may have the disease and not know it. Pertussis is highly contagious and potentially deadly for infants.
"Pertussis is most severe in babies. More than half of babies under a year old who get the disease must be hospitalized," said Dr. Maxine Hayes, State Health Officer. "Older children and adults can get pertussis too, but it is much less severe and might be mistaken for a bad chest cold. Babies who get pertussis usually catch it from their older brothers and sisters or from their parents."
The Department of Health recommends immunizing children on time, at 2, 4, and 6 months, between 15 and18 months, and a booster at 4 to 6 years of age. Thanks to CHILD Profile, a computerized immunization record system, many health care providers can quickly look up whether a child is up to date on vaccines. "The vaccine is readily available," Dr. Hayes continued. "I urge parents to protect their children and make sure immunizations are up to date. In the past, there have been shortages in vaccine, but that is no longer the case."
Reported cases of pertussis in Washington state:
1999 – 739
2000 – 458
2001 – 184
2002 – 574
2003 (through mid-June) – 205
A child with pertussis coughs violently and rapidly, over and over, until the air is gone from the child’s lungs. When the child inhales, there is usually a loud "whooping" sound that gives the disease its nickname. Then the coughing begins again. Severe coughing spells can go on for weeks, causing difficulty with eating, drinking and breathing. The child might turn blue from lack of air or vomit after a coughing spell.
Protecting infants and young children from pertussis:
Pertussis is a very contagious disease, and one that is fairly common in the United States, even today. It is caused by bacteria called Bordetella pertussis and is spread by personal contact, coughing and sneezing.
Pertussis can cause serious complications. About 1 child in 10 with pertussis also gets pneumonia, and about 1 in every 50 will have convulsions. Pertussis causes 10-15 deaths a year.
Visit Pertussis.com to learn more about the disease (http://www.pertussis.com/index.html ). For specific questions, call your health care provider or your local health department.
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