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The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is warning Michigan residents about an increase in cases of pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, and urging individuals to get up to date with vaccinations.
The number of cases has surpassed last year’s reports. Between 2017 and 2019, Michigan averaged 596 cases of pertussis each year. This year alone has 830 confirmed or probable cases reported to MDHHS this year as of Oct. 28.
According to MDHHS, Early symptoms of pertussis are like a common cold. It can take five to 10 days for symptoms to appear after exposure and sometimes longer. Babies and young children may not cough, but they may have pauses in their breathing, which can make their skin look bluish or cause shortness of breath, the MDHHS said. Later symptoms can consist of uncontrolled coughing fits.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends pertussis vaccine for infants, children, adolescents and people who are pregnant. The CDC also recommends a dose of pertussis vaccine for adults who haven’t received a dose as an adolescent or adult, as stated by the MDHHS.