EVERETT — Local cases of whooping cough have quadrupled since May, the Snohomish County Health Department reported this week.
So far this year, the county has seen at least 41 cases of pertussis, the highly contagious respiratory illness known as whooping cough, with 11 cases reported in the past two weeks. This spring, health officials warned of an epidemic year for pertussis after 10 county residents contracted the bacterial infection. Since 2021, the county hasn’t surpassed three cases per year.
The trend is statewide — Washington had seen at least 695 cases as of early September, compared to 41 cases reported by the same time last year.
The uptick is concerning, county Health Officer James Lewis said, but he doesn’t consider it an outbreak yet. Most cases are isolated, he said, and “the risk to the public is relatively low.” mh amend
Pertussis can affect anyone, but is most common among school-age children. The illness spreads person-to-person through respiratory droplets. Common symptoms include a runny nose, sneezing and coughing. Over two weeks, the infection can cause coughing fits or spasms with vomiting or a “whooping” sound. In some cases, the infection can last several months.
Young children are most at risk for severe symptoms including trouble breathing, pneumonia, loss of consciousness, seizures and death.
Of the recent cases, most were kids age 4 and younger as well as teens age 15 to 18, Lewis said. It’s likely those kids skipped their most recent vaccinations, he said.
The county’s Communicable Disease Surveillance and Response team has contacted impacted residents and programs, including three schools and a child care facility, to encourage vaccinations and recommend antibiotic treatment. No school or child care facility has reported outbreaks.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the county reported an average of 50 pertussis cases each year, Lewis said. The county is now on track to reach those levels again, he said, amid reduced COVID precautions and a “slide in routine vaccinations.”
The last time a child in Snohomish County died from pertussis was in 2016, the county’s most recent epidemic year for the illness. From 2015 to 2016, the county reported at least 244 cases, Lewis said. Before that, an outbreak in 2011 and 2012 led to about 550 cases countywide and a statewide epidemic.
The DTaP vaccine protects infants and young children between 2 months and 6 years against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis. Once kids turn 11 they are due for the Tdap vaccine, with regular boosters into adulthood. Getting the Tdap vaccine between weeks 27 and 36 of pregnancy can help protect newborns.
The state provides free immunizations for kids age 18 and younger. Clinics may also waive related administrative fees for families who ask.
Those experiencing symptoms or who have been exposed to the illness should see their doctor, Lewis said. The health department is also advising doctors to check for pertussis when they perform COVID tests.
Other preventative measures include handwashing, covering coughs and sneezes, wearing masks and staying home when sick.
“We’re trying to raise awareness that this is coming back,” Lewis said. “It’s out there.”
Immunization records are available on the MyIR website or through your primary care provider. The Family Health Hotline at 1-800-322-2588 or the website ParentHelp123 can provide resources including nearby clinics for immunizations and vaccines.
Sydney Jackson: 425-339-3430; sydney.jackson@heraldnet.com; X: @_sydneyajackson.
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