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Whooping Cough Shot Encouraged: Infants Are Most at Risk for Complications From the Disease, Which is in the Midst of Its Worst Outbreak in More Than a Decade.

Posted on: Thursday, 22 December 2005, 15:00 CST

By Steve Painter, The Wichita Eagle, Kan., The Wichita Eagle, Kan.

Dec. 22--TOPEKA - Families with infants should get vaccinated against pertussis -- whooping cough -- to guard against becoming victims of the worst outbreak of the disease in more than a decade, state health officials said Wednesday.

Infants are at the greatest risk of suffering complications from whooping cough, including seizures, swelling of the brain, severe ear infection, severe loss of appetite and dehydration.

The 535 confirmed and probable cases of whooping cough statewide have more than doubled last year's total of 251.

In Sedgwick County, health officials have reported 139 confirmed, probable or suspected cases, including 32 so far in December. The Cheney school district canceled classes this week after two high school students were diagnosed with the disease.

Howard Rodenberg, state health director, said a new booster vaccine available this year for older children and adults could help keep the disease from spreading to younger children.

Infants in particular are highly susceptible because they have not completed the series of vaccinations to ward off the disease, said Mansoor Tahir, senior epidemiologist with the Sedgwick County Health Department.

"Any household that has young infants, especially, should get the booster vaccination," Tahir said.

One 2-month-old baby in south-central Kansas died as a result of whooping cough this year, said state epidemiologist Gail Hansen. The agency would not disclose the specific location.

Rodenberg attributed the increase in whooping cough cases to its cyclical nature, improved testing and greater awareness of the disease.

Early symptoms resemble the cold or the flu, including runny nose, mild fever, sneezing and coughing. With the increasing number of cases, Rodenberg said, people are more likely to consult their doctors, who in turn are more likely to test for pertussis.

As the disease progresses, coughing becomes more frequent and severe, causing the "whoop" sound of rapidly inhaling after a coughing fit.

Cases have been reported in 61 of the state's 105 counties.

The outbreak has affected other states as well. The number of cases has tripled in California to a 30-year high. Last year, Iowa saw its highest number of cases, 1,066, since the 1950s.

Reach Steve Painter at (785) 296-3006 or spainter@wichitaeagle.com [mailto:spainter@wichitaeagle.com].

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Copyright (c) 2005, The Wichita Eagle, Kan.

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Source: The Wichita Eagle (Wichita, Kan.)

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