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The Oregon Health Authority has issued a public health warning due to a sharp rise in cases of pertussis, known as whooping cough, across nine counties.
OHA says 178 pertussis cases have been reported to their Public Health Division as of Wednesday, May 29. OHA says that’s a 770% increase from the 20 cases reported this time last year.
However, OHA does say the 2024 numbers are roughly in line with those seen during similar time frames in the immediate pre-pandemic years.
“Our concern is with how quickly we jumped to such a high number of pertussis cases, which tell us that the disease is doing what it does best: spreading fast and taking a greater toll on undervaccinated persons,” said Paul Cieslak, M.D., medical director for communicable diseases and immunizations at the Public Health Division.
The nine Oregon counties with a sharp increase in cases include Lane County with 64, Multnomah with 41, Clackamas with 33, Deschutes with 15, Washington with 13, and Jefferson with eight. OHA say three other counties are seeing cases.
Infants are at highest risk of pertussis-related complications and death, and they have the highest reported incidence rate, according to OHA.
OHA says vaccination against pertussis is routinely recommended for infants, children, adolescents and adults. Children should receive the DTaP vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis at 2, 4, 6 and 15 to 18 months, and again at age 4 to kindergarten age.
Everyone ages 10 and older should receive a single dose of Tdap, according to OHA.