NKY warns of whooping cough outbreak

Cases of whooping cough in Northern Kentucky have more than quadrupled this year over last year, public health officials said Monday in urging parents to get children inoculated against pertussis.

Emily Gresham Wherle, public information manager of the Northern Kentucky Public Health Department, said that since the first of November, 31 of whooping cough have been reported. Thirteen cases came in the last week of November alone. Cases have been reported in Boone, Campbell, Grant and Kenton counties.

Most of these cases have been in school age youth age 10 and older, although several cases have been reported in parents of school-aged children as well.

In November and December 2014, Northern Kentucky had seven cases of whooping cough. The region had pertussis outbreaks in 2010 and 2014.

“This disease is one that spreads very easily through coughing and sneezing, so our concern is that families and friends will gather over the holidays and potentially infect one another,” said Dr. Lynne M. Saddler, district director of health. “Early symptoms of whooping cough are similar to the common cold, and whooping cough is not often suspected or diagnosed until more severe symptoms appear.”

Early symptoms of whooping cough include runny nose, sneezing, low-grade fever and a mild cough. Then a persistent cough, in explosive bursts, develops with a high-pitched whoop.

Vaccination is the best way to prevent the spread of whooping cough. Parents should make sure that children has been vaccinated with DTaP, which also includes vaccines for tetanus and diphtheria. The vaccine is usually given in five doses, administered at two months, four months, six months, 15 to 18 months and 4 to 6 years. A booster dose is recommended at age 11 or 12.

Vaccine protection fades over time; therefore adults and parents of children 10 and older should ensure that vaccinations are up to date, which is “especially critical for school teachers, pregnant women, parents, grandparents and caregivers for infants,” Saddler said.

Adults 19 and older can receive a free vaccine at the Health Department’s four county health centers. Children age 18 and younger can get the vaccine for free through the Vaccines For Children program, provided that they have a Medical card, KCHIP, no health insurance or health insurance that doesn’t cover the vaccine.

Most doctors’ offices and many pharmacies offer the vaccine as well. Families of infants born at St. Elizabeth also can get the vaccine after delivery through the hospital.

Vaccination is a solid preventive, but it’s not completely effective. “Some people who are fully vaccinated may still become infected and have a mild case of the illness,” Saddler said. “In those instances, it is still important for people who are ill to stay home and avoid contact with others.”

Individuals with a cough lasting more than two weeks that is worsening should contact a health-care provider for evaluation and avoid contact with others, especially infants, young children, the elderly, and people with compromised immune systems.

If you live with someone who has been diagnosed with whooping cough, or have had prolonged close contact, contact your health-care provider as well.