Health Alert: Pertussis in Taylor County

Health Alert: Pertussis in Taylor County

December 2, 2011

Please distribute to all appropriate personnel in your organization

Since October 1, 2011 pertussis activity in Taylor County has increased.  Included in this Health Alert is a description of pertussis cases reported to the Taylor County Health Department between 10/1/2011-12/02/2011.  Also included are recommendations for the testing and management of suspected pertussis cases.

Recent Pertussis Activity:

• As of 12/2/2011, 17 confirmed pertussis cases have been reported to the Taylor County Health Department.  No pertussis cases were reported to the Taylor County Health Department in 2011 before October.
• Of these 16 cases, 14 (88%) have been laboratory-confirmed by PCR detection of Bordetella pertussis.
• The median age of the reported cases is 10 years and ranges from 1 to 14 years.  Half of all cases reported are children aged 10-14 years, 37.5% are aged 5 to 9 years, and 12.5% are aged 1 to 4 years.
• Pertussis symptoms were reported with varying frequency.  Among reported cases with complete information, paroxysmal cough was reported 85%, posttussive vomiting in 23%, and whoop in 7%.
• Among reported cases with complete information, 81% were up to date for pertussis immunizations.

• Pertussis activity has been reported in Taylor County area schools: Immanuel, Holy Rosary, and Medford Area School District.
• No hospitalizations or deaths have been reported.

Recommendations for Providers:

Given the increased incidence of pertussis in your community to prevent the spread of disease, providers should:

• Increase their index of suspicion for pertussis when evaluating persons with cough illness or persons known to have had contact with a pertussis case.  Refer suspect cases to their physician for the appropriate illness care.
• Pertussis is a reportable disease.  Patients should be encouraged to get tested and treated for pertussis.
• Use guidance from the Wisconsin Immunization Program for the testing, treatment, and management of persons suspected of having pertussis, found on the following website: http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/immunization/pertussis.htm
• For all persons with a cough illness suspected of having pertussis:
• collect nasopharyngeal specimens for laboratory testing,
• treat with appropriate antibiotics to limit spread,
• isolate until 5 days of appropriate antibiotic treatments have been completed,
• recommend prophylaxis with appropriate antibiotics for all household contacts and other close contacts (including school or day care),

·        Identify unimmunized and underimmunized patients and offer DTaP or Tdap vaccine.

• Suspect cases of pertussis and close contacts of pertussis will be reported to the Taylor County Health Department for necessary control measures and follow up to assure testing, treatment and isolation.

Contact for Additional information:

Taylor County Health Department at 715 748-1410

Patty Krug, RN or Michele Armbrust RN