Whooping Cough (Pertussis) cases confirmed in Douglas County
Local public health officials announced today that there are currently three pediatric cases of Pertussis, including two infants, and seven additional presumptive cases of Pertussis (Whooping Cough) as of November 1st, 2024. Schools and parents have been alerted and currently include Roseburg High School, South Umpqua High School and JoLane Middle School. Health care providers have been notified on what to watch for, testing and treatment guidelines and current Oregon Health Authority Guidelines for Pertussis (Whooping Cough). The Epidemiology team at DPHN is currently working on contact tracing and notifying potential exposures.
As a pertussis outbreak (also known as whooping cough) continues to spread in neighboring counties, Douglas County public health officials are urging everyone to make sure their pertussis vaccinations are up-to-date.
Pertussis is a serious and highly contagious infection caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis and is one of the most commonly occurring vaccine-preventable diseases in the United States. Initial symptoms in older children and adults are similar to those of a cold, and commonly include a runny nose, sneezing and a severe cough.
Over the course of a few days, the cough will usually worsen and can be followed by spasms and occasionally vomiting. Infants commonly demonstrate more severe symptoms, which may include: Gagging, gasping, and a whooping sound when coughing.
The duration of the infection can be up to two weeks with a debilitating cough for up to 90 days. Individuals exhibiting these symptoms are encouraged to refrain from contact with children, stay home from work or school for up to 21 days and seek medical attention. If a doctor prescribes antibiotics, this exclusion from work and school can be reduced to as little as 5 days.
Pertussis is particularly dangerous for children younger than 1 year of age. Most deaths occur in unvaccinated children or in children too young to be vaccinated who contract the disease from a family member. These family members may be unvaccinated or unaware that immunity from initial childhood vaccinations wanes after 5-10 years and thus have not received their booster.
As a result, it is critical that infants begin the DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis) immunization series on schedule and all family members receive the Tdap booster (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis). The first three shots for infants are given at 2, 4, and 6 months of age. The fourth shot is given between 15 and 18 months of age, and a fifth shot is given before a child enters school, at 4-6 years of age. Current CDC guidelines recommend that adults should receive a dose of Tdap every ten years. DTaP and Tdap are covered by most health insurance plans and are readily available through a number of facilities including pharmacies. Individuals interested in receiving the vaccine or booster should contact their preferred health care provider.
Since the bacteria are typically spread by coughing or sneezing, it is also important that everyone practices proper respiratory hygiene. This includes covering your cough or sneeze, properly disposing of used tissue and frequently washing hands, even if you do not display symptoms.
For additional information on Pertussis, please visit:
https://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/index.html
https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/DISEASESCONDITIONS/DISEASESAZ/Pertussis1/Factsheetpert2024.pdf
DPHN Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reZqqfWyxL0&list=PLX0R6XSgJ34AKts3X7ANhOYhxOFUvtWlR
Douglas Public Health Network is a nonprofit organization and the local public health agency for Douglas County. DPHN provides communicable disease and emergency preparedness services as well as specialized programs focused on specific areas such as Opioid overdoses, health promotion, tobacco cessation, communicable disease prevention and public health modernization. Learn more about the work of the Douglas Public Health Network at: