WHOOPING COUGH CASES ON THE RISE IN KANSAS

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is reporting a significant increase in the number of pertussis (whooping cough) cases in the state this year, as compared to the past several years. Statewide, there are 90 confirmed cases and 58 probable cases for a total of 148 potential cases to date. In recent years, fewer cases have been reported. In 2003, there were 23 confirmed cases, and in 2002, there were a total of 38 confirmed cases. From 1999 - 2001, the three-year median was 18 confirmed cases.

The number of confirmed cases in Kansas to date, by region, is as follows: Northeast - 39 cases; North Central - 30; Southeast - 10; South Central - 9; Southwest - 2; Northwest - 0.

Transmission and diagnosis of pertussis (whooping cough):

Pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory infection commonly referred to as whooping cough. It is a potentially fatal childhood disease that is preventable with vaccination. The disease is named after the "whoop" sound children and adults often make when they try to inhale during or after a severe coughing spell.

People can get infected with pertussis by inhaling contaminated droplets from an infected person's cough or sneeze. A person with pertussis becomes contagious in the early stages of infection. During this period, the person usually just has a runny nose. They are still quite contagious the first 2 weeks after onset of the cough (approximately 21 days total).

Mild cases of pertussis are difficult to diagnose because they resemble a cold, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). However, mild cases can be passed on to young children and can produce severe illness in the child.

Symptoms of pertussis (whooping cough):

Symptoms of pertussis appear as a cold or flu-like including a runny nose, sneezing, fever, and a mild cough. Symptoms can last up to two weeks and are followed by increasingly severe coughing spells. Fever, if present, is usually mild. Symptoms appear between six to 21 days (average 7-10) after exposure to the bacteria.

During a classic coughing episode, the signature "whoop" is heard when the patient struggles to breath. Cough usually produces a thick mucus. Vomiting may occur after a coughing episode and the lips and nails may turn blue due to lack of oxygen. The patient is left exhausted after the coughing spell.

Prevention and treatment of pertussis:

If you, or a member of your family, is exhibiting symptoms, including cough for two weeks or longer, without other explanation, please contact your physician. There are medications to treat the infection and relieve the symptoms. The CDC urges individuals that suspect they have pertussis to limit contact with unvaccinated children and see a physician as soon as possible.

The single most effective control measure is immunization of the most vulnerable population against pertussis. Immunization is recommended at 2, 4, 6, and 12 months of age with a booster at kindergarten entry. There is not a vaccine for adults.

Young infants are at highest risk for pertussis-related complications, including seizures, encephalitis (swelling of the brain), severe ear infection, anorexia (severe loss of appetite) and dehydration. Pneumonia is the most common complication and cause of infantile pertussis-related deaths.

According to the Center for Disease Control, www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/pink/pert.pdf , pertussis was responsible for approximately 280,000 deaths worldwide in 2001. Due to vaccination, the number of cases in the United States decreased by 98 percent in the mid 20 th -century from approximately 200,000 to 4,200.

For more information, visit www.pertussis.com or www.cdc.gov or http://www.kdheks.gov/pdf/hef/ab1060.pdf .

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