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Pertussis in Washington
State
The Washington State Department of Health currently receives approximately 400 to
1000
reports of pertussis per year.
On average, one death is
associated with pertussis infection each year. Pertussis is
a vaccine preventable disease. The vaccine for pertussis,
DTaP, is a routine vaccine for children under 7 years of
age. In 2005, a new vaccine, Tdap, was licensed for use in
adolescents and adults.
Purpose of Reporting and
Surveillance
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To prevent illness and death among
high-risk persons and among persons who may transmit
pertussis to high-risk persons.
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To identify and evaluate contacts
and recommend appropriate preventive measures, including
exclusion, antibiotic prophylaxis and/or immunization.
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To educate exposed persons about
signs and symptoms of disease, thereby facilitating early
diagnosis and treatment and prevent further spread.
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To vaccinate exposed, underimmunized
children.
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To monitor the epidemiology of
pertussis in Washington state.
Legal Reporting Requirements
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Health care providers: immediately notifiable to local health jurisdiction.
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Hospitals: immediately notifiable to
local health jurisdiction.
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Laboratories: notifiable to local
health jurisdiction within 2 work days.
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Local health jurisdictions:
notifiable to the Washington State Department of Health
Communicable Disease Epidemiology Section within 7
days of case investigation completion or summary information
required within 21 days.
Last
update
December 2007 |
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