Whooping cough cases on the rise in Cass County
FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is on the rise in Cass County according to Fargo Cass Public Health. Since November of last year there have been 29 reported cases and in the last 17 days there have been eight.
On average there are five to eight cases on average each year.
“Cases of pertussis have been increasing in recent years in the United States and we are now seeing cases go up in North Dakota,” said Dr. Tracie Newman, a health officer with Fargo Cass Public Health. “Infants under the age of one are at the highest risk of developing severe breathing complications and life-threatening illness from pertussis. Ensuring your child and family are up to date on pertussis vaccines is more important than ever.”
Whooping cough is a highly contagious illness that spreads from person to person through the air. Hygiene is important to help stop the spread and it is recommended to wash your hands frequently, cover your cough and sneeze and stay home when you are sick.
“It’s concerning, I mean this is why we’re trying to get the word out to people. That’s certainly much higher than we normally see typically in Cass County. We maybe see five, upwards of eight cases in an entire year.” said Dr. Newman.
Public Health says vaccinations are the best safeguard against pertussis. Here are some recommendations from FCPH:
- DTaP (Diphtheria Tetanus and acellular Pertussis) vaccine
- Routinely given at 2, 4, 6, and 15 – 18 months; booster given at 4 – 6 years old
- Catch-up immunizations for children less than 7 years old
- Tdap (Tetanus diphtheria and acellular pertussis) vaccine
- Routinely given to adolescents 11 – 12 years old
- Catch-up immunizations for children older than 7 years old
- Recommended booster every 10 years in adults (preferred to Td booster)
- Special populations: 3rd trimester of every pregnancy (27 – 32 weeks gestation), infant close contacts (parents, grandparents, child-care providers, etc.) and health care workers
