Lincoln, NE — In 2024, a total of 35 cases of Pertussis (Whopping Cough) have been reported in Nebraska compared to 13 reported in 2023. With a recently confirmed case of pertussis in a student residing in the Two Rivers Public Health Department region, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services emphasizes the importance of taking preventative measures to protect young individuals and communities from pertussis.
Two Rivers Public Health Department will continue to monitor and evaluate the situation. If you have not received a Tdap vaccine in the last seven years it is recommended to speak to your primary care provider about your risk. Two Rivers Public Health Department, as well as clinics and pharmacies, offer the Tdap vaccine.
Pertussis is an acute, contagious respiratory disease that is spread from person to person by coughing or sneezing. It can be serious and sometimes deadly for babies and young children, especially those who have not had all of their recommended pertussis vaccines. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately one in three babies who get pertussis and are younger than one year of age, need care in the hospital.
Early symptoms may appear like a common cold, including runny and/or stuffy noses, low-grade fevers, and mild coughs. However, one to two weeks after symptom onset, people may experience coughing fits called paroxysms. Coughing fits may persist from one to 10 weeks and may cause the high-pitched “whoop” sound characteristic of pertussis. Some people may also experience vomiting, feel fatigued after coughing fits, struggle to breathe, and more severe symptoms.
The best way to prevent pertussis is with vaccination. The CDC recommends pertussis vaccination for everyone. While infants are not eligible for pertussis vaccination until they are two months old, both the CDC and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend that all pregnant women receive a pertussis vaccine between 27 and 36 weeks of each pregnancy to help protect babies from serious illness until they are old enough to get vaccinated on their own.
Though it is best to prevent pertussis with vaccination, antibiotic treatment early in the course of infection may help. Some people who are seriously ill may need care in the hospital, but many people can manage their symptoms at home.
If you think you have been exposed to a pertussis case or are experiencing symptoms, call your healthcare provider.
To learn more visit https://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/index.html.
