United States: The Community of Lane County Public Health (LCPH) declared a Whooping Cough (also known as Pertussis) outbreak on Wednesday, May 15th of this year, following a record-high number of cases in the community.
The sudden rise in cases not only surpassed the community, regional, and seasonal expectations but also last year’s record.
More about the Pertussis disease
Pertussis is dubbed “whooping cough” because it is a highly infectious respiratory tract disease that results from the Bordetella pertussis bacteria. The spread of Pertussis is airborne when a person with infectious lungs coughs or sneezes.
Furthermore, coughing that lasts a long time and another distinctive “whoop” sound during inhalation as the patient sucks in a deep breath, gagging or actually vomiting while coughing, and marked exhaustion may also be observed. The unmanaged conditions of the new children, and now infants, give rise to severe complications: pneumonia, dehydration, seizures, and possibly brain damage.
During the past 7 days, the situation has worsened with the number of suspected and confirmed cases doubled, with more additional cases about to be tested, where the total number of cases reaches nearly 40.
Community spread of the disease
Lane County highlighted that some of the cases were linked, yet there were isolated cases in the area, too, implying a community spread.
Some 120 cases have been recorded statewide, taking into consideration that only 17 cases were recorded last year at the same time.
LCPH pleads with the community to take preventive action in order to stop the flood of this highly infectious respiratory disease that can spread so easily.
The alarm sounded by area experts
LCPP acknowledges the crucial things like taking testing at the initial stage of the symptom, timely immunization of pertussis vaccine, and proper respiratory hygiene, especially for infants, pregnant people, young children, and those with underlying medical conditions.
LCPH also mentioned that infants are advised to be vaccinated with the DTaP vaccination series over time, and “adolescent kids” are advised to obtain a single dose of the Tdap vaccine, which parents can give to their kids who are at least 11 or 12 years old to strengthen community immunity.
People who are pregnant should be aware that the Tdap vaccine is supposed to be received in the final stage of every pregnancy in order to give necessary protection for themselves and their newborns.
Adults must receive at least one TdaP vaccine and can also receive one every ten years. The pertussis vaccination is offered through your primary care provider, local pharmacies, and medically qualified health centers, and even if you are an uninsured person, a federally qualified health center can be availed.
Severity of the disease
Within a population that is unvaccinated, LCPH demonstrates how one pertussis case gives up to 16 new ones.
The symptoms in patients with Pertussis are mild upper respiratory tract symptoms, which may lack specific symptoms for seasonal allergies, a common cold, and/or influenza infection.
Thus, the importance of urgency in conducting such tests for those who interact with susceptible people is being emphasized.