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Pertussis - "whooping cough"
Pertussis outbreak in Garfield County
Garfield County Public Health staff is administering immediate vaccinations and preventive antibiotics
May 10, 2013 - Garfield County Public Health (GCPH) reports that the number of confirmed whooping cough cases in Garfield County has reached 11 cases. Tdap immunizations are offered free at GCPH offices in Glenwood Springs and Rifle for adults and children aged 10 and older. The slow spread of the disease is encouraging to GCPH staff, but residents are urged to continue following recommended measures outlined in information below.
Garfield County media advisories and press release-|
Colorado whooping cough alert
December 18, 2012: Colorado whooping cough cases highest in 60 years, include one death - With 1,407 reported cases as of Dec. 8, Colorado's pertussis epidemic has exceeded the number of cases seen in the state going back at least six decades. The last time Colorado experienced this level of pertussis, commonly referred to as whooping cough, was in 1948 with 1,833 cases.
There was one pertussis death in October of 2012 - an older adult in Larimer County. This is the first whooping cough death in the state since 2005, when there were two infant deaths.
Whooping cough is typically most dangerous for babies and young children, but can affect people of all ages.
From Jan. 1 through Aug. 11, 2012, a total of 715 cases of pertussis were reported in Colorado, compared to a 2007-2011 average of 158 cases during the same calendar period. CDPHE press release-|
Facts and resources
What is pertussis?
Pertussis, or whooping cough, is a contagious illness that is spread when an infected person sneezes or
coughs and another individual breathes in the bacteria.
Who gets pertussis?
Pertussis can occur at any age. It may be very severe in infants and young children (especially those who have not had 3 doses of pertussis vaccine), resulting in hospitalization, seizures, long-term neurological problems, and even death. Pertussis can occur in immunized individuals, because the immunity gainedfrom vaccination typically wanes over time. Although widespread use of pertussis vaccines had reduced the number of pertussis cases, this disease has been increasing in recent years.
| Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment |
| Pertussis fact sheets, resources for schools, resources for health care professionals, Colorado data and statistics |
| Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |
| Pertussis causes, transmission, signs and symptoms, vaccinations, outbreaks, laboratory information, fast facts, surveillance and reporting |
What are the symptoms of pertussis?
Symptoms usually appear between 7 to 10 days after exposure to the bacteria, but can develop 4 to 21
days after exposure. The disease starts with cold-type symptoms: low-grade fever, runny nose and mild
cough. Within two weeks, the cough becomes more severe and is characterized by episodes of fits of
coughing. Vomiting, breathlessness, a change in facial color, and/or whooping sound may follow the
coughing fits. In between coughing fits, the individual may look and feel fine. These coughing fits may
continue for several months, and are more frequent at night.
In infants, the cough can be minimal or not even there. Infants may have a symptom known as "apnea." Apnea is a pause in the child's breathing pattern.
People who think they have pertussis should be evaluated by a physician.
How is pertussis spread?
Pertussis is spread through droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks. The first
symptoms usually appear 7 to 10 days after exposure. The greatest risk of spread is during the early
stages of the illness through the first three weeks of coughing. Those treated with antibiotics are
considered contagious until they have completed 5 days of an appropriate antibiotic.
 Whooping Cough information for parents
What are the complications of pertussis?
In infants younger than 1 year of age who get pertussis, more than half (57%) must be hospitalized. The
younger the infant, the more likely treatment in the hospital will be needed. Complications for infants with pertussis include:
• pneumonia (lung infection)
• convulsions (violent, uncontrolled shaking)
• apnea (slowed or stopped breathing)
• encephalopathy (disease of the brain)
• death
Teens and adults can also get complications from pertussis, but they are usually less serious in this older age group, especially in those who have been vaccinated.
The most common complications in teens and adults with pertussis are:
• Weight loss
• Loss of bladder control
• Passing out
• Rib fractures from severe coughing
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