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Independence, MO —
The Independence Health Department has seen an increase in the number of pertussis cases in the past two weeks. Pertussis is a respiratory illness commonly known as whooping cough.
The illness is highly contagious and usually started with cold- or flu-like symptoms, such as a runny nose, sneezing, fever and a mild cough. These symptoms can last up to two weeks and are followed by increasingly severe coughing spells.
The Health Department, in the past two weeks, has received reports of 15 suspect, confirmed and probable cases of whooping cough, totaling 24 cases for 2012. This is more than seven times the number of cases that were reported in June 2011.
The Health Department recommends prevention among infants, children, teenagers and adults through vaccination. The recommended pertussis vaccine for infants and children is DTaP, which protects most children for at least 5 years. Because vaccine protection fades with time, pre-teens, teens and adults are encouraged to get a booster than contains protection against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis.
Adults and teens who haven’t received the Tdap vaccine should get it, according to the Health Department. Getting vaccinated at least two weeks before coming into close contact with an infant is especially important for families with and caregivers of new infants, including grandparents.
Those infected with pertussis usually spread the disease by coughing or sneezing while in close contact with others, who then breathe in the pertussis bacteria. Many infants who get pertussis are infected by older siblings, parents or caregivers who might not even know they have the disease.
Contact Health Promotion Manager Shawnna Jackson at 816-325-7188 for more information.
The Independence Health Department has seen an increase in the number of pertussis cases in the past two weeks. Pertussis is a respiratory illness commonly known as whooping cough.
The illness is highly contagious and usually started with cold- or flu-like symptoms, such as a runny nose, sneezing, fever and a mild cough. These symptoms can last up to two weeks and are followed by increasingly severe coughing spells.
The Health Department, in the past two weeks, has received reports of 15 suspect, confirmed and probable cases of whooping cough, totaling 24 cases for 2012. This is more than seven times the number of cases that were reported in June 2011.
The Health Department recommends prevention among infants, children, teenagers and adults through vaccination. The recommended pertussis vaccine for infants and children is DTaP, which protects most children for at least 5 years. Because vaccine protection fades with time, pre-teens, teens and adults are encouraged to get a booster than contains protection against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis.
Adults and teens who haven’t received the Tdap vaccine should get it, according to the Health Department. Getting vaccinated at least two weeks before coming into close contact with an infant is especially important for families with and caregivers of new infants, including grandparents.
Those infected with pertussis usually spread the disease by coughing or sneezing while in close contact with others, who then breathe in the pertussis bacteria. Many infants who get pertussis are infected by older siblings, parents or caregivers who might not even know they have the disease.
Contact Health Promotion Manager Shawnna Jackson at 816-325-7188 for more information.
