(Astoria, OR) - Oregon Health Authority reports an increase of pertussis cases in multiple counties throughout the state, including Clatsop County. 

Health officials ask that folks stay home if they show signs of a cold for more than one week. Those who may have been exposed to whooping cough and have cold symptoms should call their health care provider. They should also avoid contact with pregnant women and children under the age of 1.

“Whooping cough causes severe coughing, and it spreads easily in groups,” said Dr. Thomas Duncan, Health Officer for Clatsop County Public Health. “Babies and young children can become very ill and in some cases it can be fatal. That said, anyone — young or old — can become ill.”

Anyone who may have been exposed should check their vaccine record, and all family members’ records. Make sure that vaccinations are up-to-date and on the record, including diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTaP) or tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap) vaccine. Call your health care provider if there is a question about whether your vaccinations are up-to-date.

Getting Tdap is especially important for pregnant women during the third trimester of each pregnancy. This provides newborns the immunity they need at birth until their first vaccination at 2 months.

Babies and children should get five doses of DTaP for maximum protection. Children receive doses at ages 2, 4 and 6 months, at 15 through 18 months, and again at 4 through 6 years. Preteens at 11 or 12 years old get a booster dose of Tdap. Teens or adults who didn't get Tdap as a preteen should get one dose.

Whooping cough often starts with cold-like symptoms. Early signs may also include a minor cough or fever. People infected with the illness may have coughing fits. After one or two weeks, toddlers with pertussis may have a high-pitched "whoop" following the cough. Coughing fits may be so bad that people may vomit during or after coughing and be exhausted afterward.

Whooping cough is common in the United States. The number of cases peaks every 3–5 years and there are frequent outbreaks. To date, in 2024 there have been reports of 827 cases of pertussis in Oregon. Many more cases go unreported. The main goal of controlling pertussis outbreaks is to decrease the amount of disease and death among babies.

To know more about pertussis (whooping cough), go to www.cdc.gov/pertussis/index.html. For more information, visit ClatsopCounty.gov.

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(Astoria, OR) - The public is invited to participate at an in-person presentation from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, December 7, at the Judge Guy Boyington Building, 857 Commercial Street, Astoria. 

An online questionnaire has also been created to collect feedback related to the Comprehensive Plan update. The questions will inform County staff about the areas that will be considered during the goal update process. The questionnaire will close on November 27.

The Clatsop County Comprehensive Plan describes the long-term vision for unincorporated Clatsop County, looking ahead to set direction for the County’s growth over the next 20 years. It contains common goals that guide development within the County, including in the areas of land use, environment, transportation, economic development, housing and resource use. 

Clatsop County is updating three portions of the Comprehensive Plan: Estuarine Resources (Goal 16), Coastal Shorelands (Goal 17), and Beaches and Dunes (Goal 18).  

• Estuarine Resources Goal 16 is focused primarily on the health and usability of the Columbia River Estuary. It contains policies and standards related to recreation, fish and wildlife, and the Federal Navigation Channel. 
• Coastal Shorelands Goal 17 covers many areas next to bodies of water such as the Necanicum River, Nehalem River, and areas near Youngs River Bay. This goal has policies related to water quality, development adjacent to bodies of water, and the health of rivers for the purposes of fish species. 
• Beaches and Dunes Goal 18 is concerned with sandy areas near the ocean coast. This goal has policies focused on protecting natural dunes by limiting ground disturbance and other developments. 

Regular review of these goals using up-to-date data and maps is important so the public and environment can be better served.  

Join the in-person meeting on Saturday, December 7, from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Contact Community Development Senior Planner David Cook if you have questions or need assistance joining at dcook@clatsopcounty.gov or by phone at 503-325-8611. 

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