Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://www.thespectrum.com/article/20081210/NEWS01/812100307
Whooping cough confirmed
BY PATRICE ST. GERMAIN ? patrices@thespectrum.com ? December 10, 2008
LAVERKIN - In the last three days, 10 cases of pertussis have been confirmed in Washington County. Pertussis, or whooping cough, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by bacteria and is spread through sneezing and coughing. While the symptoms may not be severe, pertussis may last for several weeks.
Children and infants are most susceptible to complications that include pneumonia, brain inflammation and, in rare cases, death.
All of the cases are in the Hurricane Valley and involved extended family, said Lisa Starr, communicable disease nurse for the Southwest Utah Public Health Department.
Starr said in at least one of the cases the person had been sick since Halloween, but pertussis not only has a long incubation period, its symptoms are similar to flu and colds.
"Pertussis should have been eradicated a long time ago so it's not something that is immediately looked at," Starr said.
Of the 10 cases, nine have been clinically confirmed and the 10th case, laboratory confirmed. Starr said the cases involve children, including an infant, to adults in their 50s and include several school-age children.
Marshall Topham, assistant superintendent of secondary education for the Washington County School District, said once the school district became aware of the situation it notified all the parents and contacted parents of those students not immunized.
Topham said students are required by state law to be immunized against various childhood diseases, which includes pertussis, however, there are exceptions for medical, religious or personal reasons, although an appropriate exemption form is required before the child may attend school.
The number of students that take the exemption and are not immunized is small, about 2 or 3 percent, Topham said.
Several years ago there were a couple of whooping cough cases in the school district and Topham is hoping to keep this current outbreak to the same isolated numbers. He said people are aware of the problem and taking the necessary precautions.
By state definition, an outbreak is defined as two or more cases within 42 days of each other.
Starr said pertussis is very contagious with up to 90 percent of the unvaccinated people in a household ending up contracting the disease.
Because pertussis is highly contagious, Starr said the held department encourages isolation for five days after beginning antibiotics.
"We highly recommend that people do not come out and spread it," she said.
Epidemiologist Rachelle Boulton, with the Utah Department of Health, said in 2004 there was in an increase in pertussis cases in the state, but in 2006 the number peaked with Utah having 782 cases, a 29.9 percent rate compared with the national average of 5.23 percent.
"The good thing is that by 2007, the rate decreased by more than half to 14.3 percent," Boulton said.
Boulton said the state is not sure what cased the increase in cases, but that the decrease may be a booster vaccine that was approved by the Federal Drug Administration in 2005.
By the time a child is ready for kindergarten, five doses of DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis) vaccines have been given. But the effectiveness of the pertussis or whooping cough vaccine is seven to 12 years after the last shot.
A pertussis booster shot, either a Td or Tdap, is available and is the best way to prevent exposure said Boulton.
"Pertussis symptoms can last for months and months and people may be pretty uncomfortable," she said. "Plus, it can affect how you sleep and perform at work. It's a long-lasting disease."
Starr said the booster vaccine is not for use with children between the age of 7 and 10 and adults older than 65.
Once the booster vaccine is administered, people are protected against pertussis in about two weeks and the booster is good for about 10 years.
"It's a great idea for all adults," Starr said of the booster shot. "It's a good idea to get the shot to help contain this so it doesn't get bigger."
Starr said people need to practice good hygiene, which includes proper hand washing techniques, the use of tissue and, as with all illnesses, if people have symptoms to try and stay out of the community.
"If you are sick, stay at home, please," Starr said.
Whooping cough confirmed
BY PATRICE ST. GERMAIN ? patrices@thespectrum.com ? December 10, 2008
LAVERKIN - In the last three days, 10 cases of pertussis have been confirmed in Washington County. Pertussis, or whooping cough, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by bacteria and is spread through sneezing and coughing. While the symptoms may not be severe, pertussis may last for several weeks.
Children and infants are most susceptible to complications that include pneumonia, brain inflammation and, in rare cases, death.
All of the cases are in the Hurricane Valley and involved extended family, said Lisa Starr, communicable disease nurse for the Southwest Utah Public Health Department.
Starr said in at least one of the cases the person had been sick since Halloween, but pertussis not only has a long incubation period, its symptoms are similar to flu and colds.
"Pertussis should have been eradicated a long time ago so it's not something that is immediately looked at," Starr said.
Of the 10 cases, nine have been clinically confirmed and the 10th case, laboratory confirmed. Starr said the cases involve children, including an infant, to adults in their 50s and include several school-age children.
Marshall Topham, assistant superintendent of secondary education for the Washington County School District, said once the school district became aware of the situation it notified all the parents and contacted parents of those students not immunized.
Topham said students are required by state law to be immunized against various childhood diseases, which includes pertussis, however, there are exceptions for medical, religious or personal reasons, although an appropriate exemption form is required before the child may attend school.
The number of students that take the exemption and are not immunized is small, about 2 or 3 percent, Topham said.
Several years ago there were a couple of whooping cough cases in the school district and Topham is hoping to keep this current outbreak to the same isolated numbers. He said people are aware of the problem and taking the necessary precautions.
By state definition, an outbreak is defined as two or more cases within 42 days of each other.
Starr said pertussis is very contagious with up to 90 percent of the unvaccinated people in a household ending up contracting the disease.
Because pertussis is highly contagious, Starr said the held department encourages isolation for five days after beginning antibiotics.
"We highly recommend that people do not come out and spread it," she said.
Epidemiologist Rachelle Boulton, with the Utah Department of Health, said in 2004 there was in an increase in pertussis cases in the state, but in 2006 the number peaked with Utah having 782 cases, a 29.9 percent rate compared with the national average of 5.23 percent.
"The good thing is that by 2007, the rate decreased by more than half to 14.3 percent," Boulton said.
Boulton said the state is not sure what cased the increase in cases, but that the decrease may be a booster vaccine that was approved by the Federal Drug Administration in 2005.
By the time a child is ready for kindergarten, five doses of DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis) vaccines have been given. But the effectiveness of the pertussis or whooping cough vaccine is seven to 12 years after the last shot.
A pertussis booster shot, either a Td or Tdap, is available and is the best way to prevent exposure said Boulton.
"Pertussis symptoms can last for months and months and people may be pretty uncomfortable," she said. "Plus, it can affect how you sleep and perform at work. It's a long-lasting disease."
Starr said the booster vaccine is not for use with children between the age of 7 and 10 and adults older than 65.
Once the booster vaccine is administered, people are protected against pertussis in about two weeks and the booster is good for about 10 years.
"It's a great idea for all adults," Starr said of the booster shot. "It's a good idea to get the shot to help contain this so it doesn't get bigger."
Starr said people need to practice good hygiene, which includes proper hand washing techniques, the use of tissue and, as with all illnesses, if people have symptoms to try and stay out of the community.
"If you are sick, stay at home, please," Starr said.