Everett, Wash.
Published: Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Cases of whooping cough on the rise on Whidbey Island

Whidbey Island's outbreak has likely reached its peak, a health officer says.

By Sharon Salyer
Herald Writer

 The number of suspected or confirmed cases of whooping cough on Whidbey Island has now hit 65 -- more than twice the number who were ill just two weeks ago.

Dr. Roger Case, Island County's health officer, said Tuesday that he hopes that the outbreak is starting to peak. Cases first began being reported in mid-May.

Typically, eight or fewer cases are reported each year on the island.

Although the number of cases are expected to continue to rise for a while, "I think we're peaking as far as the number of people going to the doctor," he said. "I don't look for the numbers to rise much higher."

Most of the cases are clustered in the Coupeville and south Whidbey Island areas, he said. Children have been hit hardest by the disease. "The vast majority are between the ages of 7 and 13," Case said.

No cases have been reported from Camano Island.

The number of new infections should begin to drop off rapidly about two to three weeks after the last exposure to whooping cough, he said.

This is one of the largest outbreaks of whooping cough on Whidbey Island since the early 1990s, when a similar number of cases were reported. "It seems to come every six, seven or eight years," Case said.

It's fortunate that the most recent outbreak occurred when school was not in session or far more people could have been affected, he said.

About 12 percent of students in the South Whidbey School District have not been immunized against the disease, according to figures from the state Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. And about 20 percent of students have not received all required immunizations. Students can be exempted for personal or religious reasons.

However, school district officials are double checking the numbers to see if they are up-to-date, Case said.

Pertussis is a highly contagious bacterial infection that causes coughing and gagging with little or no fever.

Coughing may include a croup or "whoop." Children 12 months and younger are the most vulnerable, according to health officials. Complications may include pneumonia, convulsions and, in rare cases, brain damage or death.

The whooping cough outbreak is a reminder that adults needs to get periodic immunizations, about every 10 years, to continue to have protection, Case said.

The health official said his previous advisory on people coming to the island for summer camps still is in effect: "If you're immunized, fine; if you're not, best to stay home."



Reporter Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486 or salyer@heraldnet.com.
© 2009The Daily Herald Co., Everett, WA