Clark County is still in the midst of a whooping cough outbreak, even as case numbers dip while students are on summer break.
Through July 16, Clark County Public Health recorded 249 cases of whooping cough, compared with just 24 cases during the same period last year. In the last few weeks, the cases have slowed.
“This doesn’t necessarily mean the outbreak is over or that it won’t surge again, especially when school starts up again,” said Derel Glashower, Clark County Public Health epidemiologist, during a county board of health meeting Wednesday.
The county’s whooping cough numbers are mirroring those of 2012, when more than 5,000 people were sickened statewide. During the same time period in 2012, Clark County recorded 258 cases of whooping cough.
As was the case in 2012, Clark County whooping cough numbers spiked this spring. During the outbreak in 2012, cases dropped off in the summer before ticking up again when kids returned to school in the fall.
“We’re grateful for the reprieve in the summer,” Glashower said. “But we’re at least planning there could be an increase when school starts again.”
Whooping cough, or pertussis, is an illness spread through respiratory secretions such as coughing and sneezing. The illness is particularly dangerous, and potentially deadly, for infants. One infant has been hospitalized with whooping cough in Clark County, but no deaths have been reported locally, according to Clark County Public Health.
The greatest number of whooping cough cases in Clark County have been among teens 14 to 18 years old. So far, 115 teens in that age group have contracted the illness. Those 10 to 13 years old have seen the second-highest number of cases, with 46.
Vaccinations urged
Among those who have contracted whooping cough in Clark County, 27 percent report not being up to date — or not knowing if they’re up to date — on their whooping cough vaccines.
The state recommends children receive five doses of the DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis) vaccine, at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15 to 18 months and 4 to 6 years. Adolescents ages 11 to 18 and adults 19 to 64 should receive a tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis booster, commonly known as Tdap. Pregnant women should also receive a Tdap booster during every pregnancy.
The boosters for adolescents and adults are recommended because, while effective, the vaccine’s protection does wane over time, said Dr. Alan Melnick, public health administrator and county health officer. Still, the vaccine is the best way to protect oneself and those too young to be fully immunized from catching whooping cough, he said.
The health department will continue to monitor the outbreak.
“Hopefully, the number of cases comes down and this outbreak subsides,” Glashower said.
