MN: Whooping cough cases

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Source: http://www.wahpetondailynews.com/articles/2008/11/13/breaking_news/doc491c85dc23675915767141.txt

Whooping cough outbreak reported in Douglas County
Published/Last Modified on Thursday, November 13, 2008 1:54 PM CST

Twenty-four cases of whooping cough have been reported at Douglas County in Minnesota, mostly in high school students. An additional 16 cases were reported in Dakota County.

To date, no cases have been confirmed in Wilkin County, said Angie Hoffman, RN at Wilkin County Public Health.

"People should really make sure their immunizations are up to date," she said.

Residents should get their Tdap vaccination every five years, or as little as every two years from the last booster shot, depending on their circumstance.

Hofmann said the director has contacted local schools.

Whooping cough, or pertussis, causes an airy cough or one so persistant it causes gagging or vomiting. People should seek medical advice if they have a cough lasting 7 days or longer. If you have been exposed to someone with a confirmed case pertussis, seek medical treatment right away for prophylactic treatment.

Minnesota's last peak year for whooping cough was in 2005 and reported 1,571 total cases. The cough peaks every three to five years.

The state has reported 275 cases this year.

 

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Re: MN: Whooping cough cases

Source: http://www.startribune.com/lifestyl...?elr=KArks7PYDiaK7DUHPYDiaK7DUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUU

It's beginning to look like a bad year for whooping cough.
By JOSEPHINE MARCOTTY, Star Tribune
Last update: November 13, 2008 - 3:20 PM

It's beginning to look like a bad year for whooping cough.

State officials on Thursday reported several new outbreaks of pertussis around the state, primarily among elementary and high school students.

Cases have been reported in Hastings, Alexandria, Albert Lea, Fergus Falls, and in Dakota, Douglas, Otter Tail, and Wright counties. The outbreak in Dakota County includes 16 cases in upper elementary school students. An outbreak in Douglas County includes 24 cases, mostly among high school students.

In all, about 40 new cases have been reported this fall, bringing the total for the year so far to 375.

Whooping cough, or pertussis, usually peaks every three to five years. The last cyclical peak came in 2005, when 1,571 cases were reported. The sudden spurt of outbreaks in many places across the state could be a harbinger of another peak year, health officials say.

Pertussis is a highly infectious bacterial infection that causes intense and persistant coughing in older children and adults. In infants it can be fatal. Babies routinely get vaccinated for it at 2,4, and 6 months, but they are not fully protected from the infection until after their third shot. Young children get another dose before entering school.

But the vaccine wears off, and older kids can become infected. For most them the illness can result in weeks of coughing, but they can infect vulnerable infants. Last year in Minnesota 11 infants were hospitalized for pertussis.

Since 2005 a new vaccine has been recommended for adolescents as part of their routine shots, largely to protect infants.

For more information go to: www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/diseases/pertussis/index.html