HHS reports more than triple the number of whooping cough cases compared to 2023

As of Oct. 23, North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) has reported 73 cases of pertussis (also known as "whooping cough") so far in 2024, compared to 17 cases in all of 2023. Cases have occurred in 11 counties, compared to two counties last year. Cases range from infants to adults, and four infants have been hospitalized. HHS has issued a health advisory on pertussis to North Dakota health care providers.

Early symptoms of pertussis can last one to two weeks and usually include a runny or stuffy nose, low-grade fever (less than 100.4°F), mild, occasional cough and pauses in breathing or struggles breathing (can occur in infants instead of coughing). In advanced pertussis, a person may experience coughing fits that cause a high-pitched "whoop" when inhaling, vomiting, tiredness, trouble sleeping, struggles breathing or a broken rib.

Pertussis is most severe in infants. The illness can be milder in people who have been immunized. It is very contagious and can be passed on for multiple weeks.

• Vaccine recommendations are as follows:
• Diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccine series starting at age two months
• Tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine for adolescents
• Tdap booster vaccine for adults every 10 years
• Tdap vaccine for pregnant women during each pregnancy to protect newborns

Pertussis vaccine effectiveness ranges from 70 - 98%, but immunity to pertussis decreases with time since immunization or illness.

"Pertussis is a major threat to our community," said HHS Immunization Surveillance Coordinator Danni Pinnick. "Vaccination, especially for pregnant individuals, is the best way to prevent severe illness."

Antibiotics are used to treat pertussis. Certain high-risk close contacts to pertussis cases should also receive antibiotics to prevent pertussis. Visit a health care provider if pertussis is suspected.

To prevent spread, people with pertussis should be excluded from work and school until five days after antibiotic treatment has been started or 21 days after cough onset.

For more information on pertussis and to check case counts and areas where individuals may have been exposed, please visit hhs.nd.gov/pertussis.