San Juan County has seen sporadic cases of pertussis this year since the outbreak in October of 2011 on San Juan. This month two new cases have been confirmed – one on Orcas, the other on San Juan Island. County Health Department officials are asking county residents to be alert for a cough illness that is not resolving in seven or more days particularly if the sufferer is having a hard time catching breath or is gagging after a coughing episode.

Listen to the sounds of pertussis at www.cdc.gov/pertussis/. Normally, only severe cases of pertussis will demonstrate a whoop. Coughing spells are typical at night due to the increased mucus production.

Pertussis affects people of all ages, which is why the Tdap vaccine is recommended for all adults as well as a booster for adolescents at 10 to 11 years of age. Women who are over 20 weeks pregnant can be vaccinated, and infants can begin the series of vaccinations at two months and complete by six months. Infants need three immunizations and children two booster doses to be protected.  San Juan County Health Department has low cost vaccine available on a sliding scale.

People who may have been exposed to pertussis or have been a close contact of someone who is coughing, should stay home from work and avoid social contacts to avoid spreading the illness. Call your health care provider for an evaluation, ask to be tested, and if prescribed antibiotics, stay home for the full five days of treatment.

San Juan County’s Personal Health Services Manager Susan Leff advises that the most effective strategy to interrupt pertussis transmission in our community and protect our infants who are most at risk is to vaccinate all children on time and give an on time booster dose to adolescents and adults.  Additional information is available at http://www.doh.wa.gov/YouandYourFamily/IllnessandDisease/WhoopingCough.aspx.