.png){kind=logo}
Vaccination is the best protection against whooping cough.
KITSAP COUNTY, WA — Whooping cough (pertussis) is increasing in Washington, and two cases of the disease were reported in Kitsap County in the last week.
Whooping cough is a highly contagious illness caused by bacteria. Whooping cough spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Without treatment, a person can spread whooping cough for more than three weeks after becoming sick.
People with whooping cough often have symptoms similar to a cold and can develop a severe cough that lasts for weeks. For some, coughing can be severe enough to cause vomiting, seizures, or even rib fracture
Infants are at greatest risk for becoming severely sick from whooping cough. While most infants with whooping cough do not have a cough, they can struggle to breathe. About one-third of infants who get whooping cough need treatment in a hospital.
Preventing whooping cough
Staying up to date on vaccines is the best way to protect yourself and your family from whooping cough. Whooping cough vaccines are recommended for all ages. Contact your healthcare provider or visit a clinic if you need a vaccine. Vaccines are free in Washington for children 18 and younger. Assistance is available for adults who do not have insurance or whose insurance does not cover vaccines.
You can also take everyday steps to prevent getting and spreading whooping cough and other respiratory illnesses, including washing hands frequently, staying home when sick, and wearing a mask in crowded places.
Whooping cough cases increasing in Washington
An increase in whooping cough cases has been reported in Washington state and the United States this year. Statewide, more than 1,000 cases have been reported so far in 2024, compared with 49 reported over the same period in 2023.
Two whooping cough cases have been confirmed in Kitsap County in the past week and data from healthcare facilities indicate the disease could be spreading more widely in our community.
When whooping cough cases are confirmed in group settings, such as schools, Kitsap Public Health District works with the organization to notify people who might have been exposed to the disease.
School vaccination data showed that the percentage of Kitsap kindergartners who were up to date on whooping cough vaccination declined from 2019 to 2023, increasing the risk for whooping cough to spread among school-aged children.
.png){kind=logo}
