TRI-CITIES, Wash. – Whooping cough is spreading rapidly across Washington, now affecting 31 counties. The highest rates are reported in Chelan, Clark, and Whitman counties. As of November 2, 1,193 cases have been reported statewide, a significant increase from just 51 cases reported at the same time last year.
Steven Krager, a health officer for the Benton Franklin Health District, praised the efforts of the infectious disease team in controlling the spread. Benton and Franklin counties have only 11 confirmed cases, out of the 1,193 reported across the state.
“Obviously, we want to keep everyone from getting sick, but we’re most concerned about the most vulnerable babies who can die from this disease,” Krager said. “To me, from a public health standpoint, our biggest goal is protecting those most vulnerable among us.”
Krager recommends getting vaccinated against whooping cough to reduce the risk of illness. Vaccination is available for babies, teens, and adults.
Symptoms of whooping cough vary, with some experiencing severe coughing fits ending in vomiting, while others have milder flu-like symptoms.
Tao Sheng Kwan-Gett, the chief science officer for the Washington State Department of Health, said young people make up most of the whooping cough cases in the state.
“We’ve had quite a few school-age children reported. Nearly half the cases have occurred among children between five and eight years old. And around a quarter of cases have occurred in children one to four years old,” Kwan-Gett said. “But really, whooping cough is an infection that impacts people of all ages. But it’s infants who are at the greatest risk of severe disease. “
The Department of Health has recorded 124 cases of infants with whooping cough, with 12 hospitalized and none resulting in death.
Krager expressed uncertainty about the future of the outbreak.
“Still a little worried about what the rest of the year and beginning of next year looks like,” Krager said.
For more information about whooping cough and vaccines, visit the Benton-Franklin Health District’s website.
