Department looks into increased whooping cough activity

Special to the Tribune-Star

INDIANAPOLIS December 03, 2008 11:08 pm

— The Indiana State Department of Health is investigating increased pertussis, or whooping cough, activity throughout the state. There have been 92 cases reported this year alone compared to the 53 reported cases from 2007.
Reports of pertussis have been on the rise across the United States, according to information put out by the Indiana Adult Immunization Coalition in Indianapolis.
The highly contagious respiratory infection is named for the “whoop” sound that infected children make when struggling for breath between severe fits of coughing.
Pertussis occurs in three stages: first, an individual may experience cold-like symptoms, including a runny nose, sneezing, or a mild cough. The second stage consists of a more severe cough that is characterized by a whooping sound. Vomiting may also follow the cough. The second stage may last as long as 10 weeks. During the third stage the cough begins to subside.
“Once a major cause of death in infants and a common cause of childhood illness, pertussis has made a strong comeback in this country,” said Roland Grieb, chairman of the IAIC. “We urge parents and health-care providers to ensure that infants and toddlers are up to date with recommend vaccinations, including the diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis [DTaP] vaccine. Without adequate protection, children are vulnerable to this and other serious, but preventable, diseases. Teens and adults also need the booster to prevent transmission to infants and young children.”
Pertussis reached an all-time low, with only about 1,000 cases reported in 1976. Lately, reports of pertussis have been on the rise in all age groups, with more than 25,000 cases reported nationwide in 2005.
Based on the latest available data, in 2005 there were 396 cases of pertussis in Indiana, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Antibiotic therapy is generally prescribed for pertussis cases and also prescribed to anyone who has come into contact with a pertussis case. Anyone who is diagnosed with pertussis should not attend work, school, or daycare through the 5 days on the antibiotic.
Children under the age of 7 are eligible for the Tdap pertussis booster vaccine, and persons ages 10-64 are eligible for the one time pertussis booster vaccine. Vaccination following exposure will not prevent the illness itself, but will protect against future exposures. Individuals who have been vaccinated for pertussis are still susceptible to the illness but generally tends to be milder than in unvaccinated individuals. Tdap vaccines are available at the Vigo County Health Department for $5 a vaccine.
While pertussis can occur at any age, it takes the heaviest toll on unvaccinated and under-vaccinated infants and toddlers, who are especially vulnerable to severe illness, complications, and, in some cases, death. In fact, 90 percent of all pertussis-related deaths occur in infants under 12 months. This group also is more likely to be hospitalized with serious complications, including pneumonia, seizures, or swelling of the brain.
Health officials warn that thousands of cases of pertussis will continue to occur each year if high levels of vaccine coverage are not achieved.
All suspect cases of pertussis should be reported immediately to the local health department.
For more information, please contact the Vigo County Health Department Clinic at (812) 462-3431.