Pertussis cases increase in region

So far this year, Panhandle Health District is reporting 150 cases of pertussis in the five northern counties.

That compares to the nine reported over the past three years combined — five in 2023, three in 2022 and one in 2021 — a roughly 1567% increase.

"Everyone should be concerned about this outbreak," said Olivia Luther, director of marketing and community relations at Kaniksu Community Health. "Anyone not immune to pertussis, either by immunization or prior illness, is more susceptible to infection and disease complications."

While most of the cases have been reported in Kootenai County, both PHD and Kaniksu Community Health officials said cases have been reported in both Bonner and Boundary counties.

Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory tract infection. For many, the disease presents with a hacking cough followed by a "whoop" sound from a rapid intake of breath.

While anyone can get pertussis, it can be particularly threatening to babies and pregnant women, Katherine Hoyer, PHD public information officer, said.

About one in eight infants with pertussis get pneumonia. About one in 100 infected infants will have convulsions and, in rare cases, pertussis can be deadly, especially in infants less than 1 year of age, PHD officials said.

Luther agreed, noting that it can lead to hospitalization or months-long symptoms, especially for infants and adults over 65 years old.

"This disease is called the '100-day cough' for good reason," she added.

Once a person becomes infected, it takes on average about seven to 10 days for symptoms to appear and can, at first, appear to be a common cold. Early symptoms can include a runny or stuffy nose, red and watery eyes, a low-grade fever, and a mild cough. After several weeks, symptoms worsen with thick mucus, causing uncontrollable coughing, vomiting and lethargy.

"For the first two weeks of illness, symptoms of whooping cough are very similar to the common cold," Dr. Andrew Vizcarra with Kaniksu Community Health said. "People then become sicker within the third week and suffer from long spells of cough, often severe enough to cause gagging and vomiting. Newborns and infants can become bright blue in the face during the coughing fits due to lack of oxygen."

Once contracted, pertussis can be eradicated with antibiotics, but the symptoms often continue up to 10 weeks despite treatment, Vizcarra said.

If a child has had a known exposure to pertussis, they can also take antibiotics before they get sick to help prevent the illness, Hoyer said. If someone believes they or their child may have pertussis or have been exposed to the disease, they should contact their healthcare provider to discuss testing and treatment. 

"If a member of your family has pertussis, it is important that they stay home from school or work until they are no longer contagious," Hoyer said.

The CDC recommends two different kinds of immunizations: DTap and Tdap. DTap is intended for children and babies between 2 months of age and 7 years old. A series of five shots, Tdap is intended for anyone seven years of age or older and is usually given every five to 10 years as a booster. Both immunizations protect against pertussis, tetanus and diphtheria.

"We are encouraging community members be cautious in order to reduce the spread of the disease, especially since school is back in session," Hoyer said.

That means washing your hands, coughing into your arm and talking to your physician if you or your family experience a cough, runny nose, congestion or fever. If not diagnosed and treated with antibiotics, PHD officials said an individual can spread the disease for at least two weeks after their cough starts.

Because community immunity against pertussis in the region is well below the percentage required to prevent outbreaks, everyone is at greater risk for infection, Luther said. 

"If families suspect whooping cough, they should be tested. Early diagnosis is key to stopping the spread of the bacteria," Luther said. "… This disease is preventable on a personal and community level."

Information: panhandlehealthdistrict.org