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Almost two dozen cases of whooping cough have been reported this year in Lenawee County after five years of zero or single-digit cases.
As of Thursday, there have been 23 confirmed cases, compared to just one case in 2023, the Lenawee County Health Department reported in a news release. The county had no cases on 2020-23, according to the department’s 2023 annual report.
“This surge reflects broader trends, with high pertussis activity reported across Michigan, and highlights the need for community awareness and preventive measures,” the release said.
This year’s confirmed cases have been among school-age children, Lenawee County Health Officer Monica Hunt wrote in an email.
Whooping cough — also called pertussis — is a highly contagious, respiratory disease that affects individuals of all ages. It can be particularly dangerous for infants and those with chronic health conditions. The community should be remain vigilant, recognize the symptoms and take necessary precautions to prevent further spread, the release said.
Anyone with pertussis symptoms should see their health care provider right away to get tested. Every parent should check their own and their children’s vaccination status against whooping cough. Immunization records can be checked online at mcir.org. Appointments can be scheduled there if vaccines are due.
Anyone with pertussis should stay home until five days of antibiotic treatment has been completed, the release said. People who live with someone with pertussis should talk to their doctor about receiving a course of antibiotics to prevent the spread of the infection.
Pertussis/whooping cough
Pertussis is a very contagious respiratory disease caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis. The whooping cough name comes from the “whoop” sound an infected person may make when trying to breathe after a hard coughing fit. This traditional whoop does not necessarily occur in infants, vaccinated children, teens or adults.
Pertussis is spread through airborne droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks. The greatest risk of spread is during the early stage when the symptoms resemble a cold. Early symptoms include low fever, runny nose, sneezing and occasional cough.
Later symptoms include:
- In one to two weeks, cough becomes more severe.
- During bouts of coughing, lips and nails may turn blue from lack of air. Vomiting may occur with severe coughing bouts.
- In between coughing episodes, people may feel or appear fairly healthy.
- Coughing may last for a month or longer.
Complications in teens and adults include difficulty sleeping, pneumonia and rib fractures. For infants, complications include pneumonia, convulsions and, in rare cases, brain damage. Most deaths from pertussis occur in infants younger than 3 months.
Vaccination
There are two kinds of vaccines that help prevent pertussis: DTap and Tdap. The DTap (diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis) vaccine is recommended for infants and young children starting at 2 months with a total of four doses by 18 months. A booster is given at 4-6 years.
Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis) vaccine is given to teens and adults with the first dose recommended at 11-12 years. A booster is recommended every 10 years. Tdap is also recommended during each pregnancy.
Vaccination rates have been dropping in Lenawee County and across Michigan, Hunt wrote in her email.
“Several factors might be contributing to this trend,” she wrote. “First, anti-vaccine sentiment has gained traction in recent years, often fueled by information on social media and distrust in medical institutions. This movement has led some people to delay or skip vaccines altogether, including routine ones like Tdap (the vaccine for tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis).
“Second, it’s also possible that people are simply unaware of the need to stay current with booster shots. For example, adults might not realize they need a Tdap booster every 10 years or during pregnancy to protect newborns from pertussis. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted healthcare routines, causing many to fall behind on routine immunizations.
“Michigan has been facing challenges in maintaining high vaccination rates, with overall immunization coverage for school-aged children showing a decline in recent years. This could reflect broader trends of vaccine hesitancy, logistical barriers, and missed opportunities to stay updated.”
Over the past three years, Hunt wrote, the rate of parents of school-age children seeking immunization waivers has remained steady.
2024 cases
Of this year’s cases, two-thirds were diagnosed within the last five months and 35% were diagnosed in the last two months, Hunt wrote.
While the cases have been reported in the later part of the year, pertussis is not seasonal, like influenza.
Whooping cough and the flu are different kinds of illnesses in that whopping cough is bacterial and the flu is caused by a virus.
“While respiratory infections like influenza are heavily seasonal and peak during colder months, pertussis can occur at any time of the year,” Hunt wrote. “However, there may be slight increases in cases in late summer and fall, possibly because children return to school, where close contact facilitates the spread of the disease.”