Pediatric whooping cough cases rising in the Wiregrass

DOTHAN, Ala. (WDHN) — As the country enters another respiratory season, pertussis cases, commonly known as whooping cough, are increasing nationwide and even in Alabama.

“About 10 thousand cases a year is what we are sick with, and in Alabama, we normally see about 30 cases a year,” ADPH Dr. Karen Landers said.

Right now, the state is over the average—there are 47 cases, 41 more than this time last year. We have seen a rise, and we expect to exceed that by the end of the year.

The Wiregrass is not immune from the highly contagious bacterial respiratory infection. Local pediatricians are seeing a growing number of cases in children.

“We’ve seen a handful of kids with whooping cough and our clinics in the region have reported some, too,” Dothan Pediatrician Dr. David Lozano said.

Southeastern Public Health District Administrator Corey Kirkland says the health departments in his ten-county region have also dealt with a handful of cases.

The two main hospitals, Flowers and Southeast Health have not seen or reported any cases so far.

“We may not get all those reports immediately, but we certainly want to get them within the week, especially with outbreaks,” Dr. Landers said. “The earlier we get, the more opportunities there are for prevention.”

Doctors say with the infection spreading by being in close contact with someone, it can be protected by vaccinations a message they have stressed for respiratory illnesses at least over the last four years to avoid respitory symptoms, hospitalizations and major complications.

They say children, pregnant women, and elderly people could be mostly at risk.

“We just need to reduce the severity of this disease and keep kids out of hospitals,” Dr. Landers added.

Dr. Landers encourages you to contact your physician on how to get vaccinated.

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