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Cause:
Bacterium Bordetella pertussis.
Illness and treatment:
Classic pertussis symptoms include initial cold-like manifestations followed by an extended cough
illness lasting for weeks with spasms of severe coughing (paroxysms) ending in a gasp, whoop, or
vomiting. Infants may have feeding difficulties, and often become apneic. Treatment is with
antibiotics and supportive care.
Sources:
Humans, often older adolescents and adults with mild symptoms not recognized as pertussis, are the
reservoir and transmit pertussis through respiratory droplets or direct contact.
Additional risks:
Complications, which include pneumonia, seizures, encephalopathy, and rarely death, occur most
often in very young infants.
Prevention:
Universal immunization including booster doses can reduce the risk of infection and generally
prevents severe illness. Respiratory and hand hygiene can prevent transmission.
Recent Washington trends:
The number of cases reported each year varies considerably, ranging from 184 to 1026 cases a year
since 1995. There is also variation in the rate of reported disease among health jurisdictions,
reflecting local outbreaks.
2010:
607 cases (9.0 cases/100,000 population) were reported. Rates were highest for children under
1 year of age (106/100,000). 44% of cases were reported as being “up to date” for pertussis
vaccine. 276 (45%) of cases were outbreak-related.
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 preventing 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:
notifiable to local health jurisdiction within 24 hours
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Health care facilities:
notifiable to local health jurisdiction within 24 hours
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Laboratories:
Bordetella pertussis notifiable to local health jurisdiction within
24 hours - culture, when available (2 business days)
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Local health jurisdictions:
notifiable to the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE)
within 7 days of case investigation completion or summary information required within 21 days
Last update
December 2011 |
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