Clark County Public Health warns of a surge in local cases of whooping cough could grow more severe as kids return to school.
The agency has received reports of 183 cases since June 1, bringing the county’s total this year to 229 cases. That’s more than the number of cases reported over the past five years combined, according to a news release from the department.
“Not only will children who get sick miss time at school, but they can also bring the illness home to their younger siblings,” said Dr. Alan Melnick, Clark County health officer and Public Health director. “Young children who aren’t yet old enough to complete their whooping cough vaccinations are less protected against illness. And infants are at the greatest risk of severe illness and hospitalization from whooping cough.”
The illness, also known as pertussis, spreads through respiratory secretions from coughing and sneezing. For the first few weeks, people with whooping cough can be contagious but have seemingly harmless symptoms similar to those of a cold, such as runny nose, low-grade fever and mild cough.
As the disease progresses, people with pertussis may experience fits of coughing with a “whooping” noise, vomiting and difficulty catching their breath. The coughing fits can continue for 10 weeks or more, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Rates of pertussis fell during the COVID-19 pandemic, probably because of social distancing and other measures taken, but have begun to rebound, according to the agency.
Vaccines are the best way to prevent pertussis, according to the CDC. Vaccinated people can still become infected, however, because protection fades over time. Of the 229 Clark County cases so far this year, 65 percent have never been vaccinated against whooping cough.
Babies need three doses of DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis) vaccine at 2, 4 and 6 months old, according to Clark County Public Health. They then receive two additional doses as young children (at 15 to 18 months old and then at 4 to 6 years) to maintain that protection.
Preteens should get one dose of DTaP when they’re 11 to 12 years old to boost their protection. And pregnant women should get a DTaP booster during the third trimester of every pregnancy, which helps protect the baby from whooping cough in the first few months of life.
