Pertussis is on the rise as child vaccination rates in Idaho decrease year over year.
Central District Health and Southwest District Health issued a release on the uptick in pertussis cases, also known as whooping cough, shortly after the start of the school year. The report comes after CDH previously advised that pertussis cases were on the rise in February of this year, with 14 cases reported at the time. A total of 171 cases have been reported within the districts.
A total of Ada County and Canyon County accounted for the bulk of this year’s caseload, reporting 117 cases and 49 cases, respectively. Three cases were reported in Payette County and one case each in Elmore and Valley counties. In reported cases, 67% were among children under 19 years of age, the release said.
This represents a marked increase from the 10 cases reported in the region during 2023.
Statewide pertussis cases to date are at 355, compared to 36 cases reported statewide in the prior year, Christine Hahn, state epidemiologist, said.
“We are deeply concerned by the significant increase in pertussis cases across Southwest Idaho this year,” Lekshmi Venugopal, SWDH staff epidemiologist, said in the release. “The resurgence of cases following the reopening of schools underscores the need for continued vigilance. Whooping cough, though it may start like a common cold, can lead to prolonged illness and severe complications, particularly in infants and those with existing health conditions.”
This sharp rise in cases comes as the rate of pertussis vaccination continues to fall in the state.
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Idaho’s average rate of vaccination coverage against whooping cough has decreased each year following the COVID-19 pandemic. In the 2019-20 school year, an estimated 89% of kindergartners were vaccinated against whooping cough, compared to 81% in the 2022-23 school year. In the years dating back to the 2011-12 school year, the vaccination rate had been consistently estimated within a percentage point of 89%.
Though all states have school immunization exceptions for medical reasons, Idaho is one of thirteen states that allows exemptions for “religious or personal reasons,” according to the National Conference of State Legislatures website .
HOW PERTUSSIS SPREADSThe illness is caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis and spreads person-to-person through the air after someone infected with the bacteria coughs or sneezes. Individuals who are not diagnosed and treated with antibiotics “can spread the disease for at least two weeks after their cough starts,” the release said.
Pertussis gets the name whooping cough from the “high-pitched ‘whoop’ sounds made after the person inhales at the end of the coughing fit,” the release said. Those infected can develop “rapid, violent and uncontrollable coughing fits,” that can induce vomiting due to the severity of the cough. Pertussis is most severe to babies and children as it can cause difficulty breathing. In rare cases it has been fatal for babies .
Individuals who believe they have pertussis or believe they have been exposed to pertussis are encouraged to contact their health care provider for testing and treatment options.
HOW TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF PERTUSSISPertussis is both preventable and treatable. Both CDH and SWDH recommended that individuals wash their hands, cough into their arm and speak with their physician if they are experiencing a cough, runny nose, congestion or fever.
Immunization can protect individuals form severe illness or from becoming ill altogether. Two separate vaccines are recommended by the CDC: DTap and Tdap. The former is a series of five shots for children and infants between two months and 7 years old. The latter is for those aged 7 years old and older, with subsequent boosters given every five to 10 years. Both vaccines provide protection against Pertussis as well as Tetanus and Diphtheria, the release said.
According to the CDC, immunization can protect “98% of children within the year following their last dose.” Boosters provide improved protection as immunity can wane “after about four or five years.” While most people will only experience mild side effects such as “soreness at the injection site or fever,” rare reactions, such as seizures and high fever may occur. On rare occasions, older children who receive the fourth or fifth dose can have swelling of the arm or leg, the release said.
WHERE TO GET VACCINATEDImmunizations can be scheduled at local pharmacies and health care providers. SWDH offers Tdap and DTap immunizations through their Caldwell office, located at 13307 Miami Lane. Both immunizations are also available by appointment at CDH’s Boise office, located at 707 N Armstrong Place.
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