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By Dian Ver Valen
The Times 

Officials Confirm One Local Case of Whooping Cough

Contagious illness on the rise in Walla Walla County, across Washington state

 


DAYTON – Cases of whooping cough, also known as pertussis, have been on the rise in Walla Walla County all year; this month Columbia County Public Health has confirmed a case of pertussis in a Dayton Elementary School student.

It is the only case of whooping cough reported in Columbia County this year, but the disease is contagious and potentially life-threatening in infants and very young children, according to the Centers for Disease Control. And even people who have been previously immunized can contract the illness.

“People may have coughs for a number of reasons, but it is important to be seen and tested by a health care provider if one is concerned about pertussis infection,” said Registered Nurse Kathleen Juris with the Columbia County Public Health Department.

Pertussis is cyclical and peaks every three to five years, according to Columbia County Public Health Administrator Martha Lanman. During the last peak year in Washington, in 2012, pertussis activity was at epidemic levels with nearly 5,000 cases reported in the state.

“Now pertussis is definitely on the rise again,” she said on Monday.

Cases of infected adolescents, between the ages of 10 and 18, have spiked across the state this year, according to the Washington State Department of Health.

Letters went out to parents with children in the Dayton School District on June 4. Although school is now out for the summer, symptoms of the infection can take a week to 10 days to appear.

“Illnesses can be spread wherever people congregate regardless of their age, including camps, daycares, church services, sleepovers and family reunions,” Lanman stated on Monday.

Pertussis begins with mild symptoms similar to the common cold, such as runny nose and cough, but the cough typically worsens over the next two-three weeks, according to the public health letter. People may cough in spasms, or fits, that may be followed by a “whooping” sound. Coughing fits are sometimes followed by vomiting.

Some people with pertussis, particularly older children and adults, may have very mild symptoms and not realize they are sick or contagious, the letter states. Infants and young children may have trouble breathing rather than a pronounced cough and may gag, gasp, turn blue or vomit.

“The best means of protecting children against pertussis is to keep their vaccinations up to date, including periodic booster shots,” Lanman stated in the letter.

Immunity against pertussis decreases as children previously immunized get older; booster shoots can be administered. Health care providers keep patient records and can confirm whether their patients (of all ages) are up to date with vaccines, Lanman said. If indicated, vaccinations can be obtained from providers, local public health and many of the larger pharmacies in the area.

Columbia County Public Health is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to noon and 1-5 p.m. and welcomes questions about immunizations. The phone number is (509) 382-2181.

 

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