Nine year old girl: Whooping cough hits Whitman County

Whitman County’s health department reported the first confirmed case of whooping cough, or pertussis, in a nine-year-old girl living somewhere within the county.

Fran Martin, health department director, said people who had been in close contact with the girl had been contacted and given antibiotics.

Martin advised residents to make sure they are properly immunized against the disease.

Vaccinations for whooping cough are not lasting as long as they were expected, explaining an outbreak that has infected 185 Washington State children less than one year old and hospitalized 39 of them.

Infants, pregnant women, child care workers or those with compromised immunity systems are urgently advised to make sure their immunizations are up to date.

The state has supplied the county health department with whooping cough vaccines. They are available for residents who are at least 19 years of age and are uninsured or do not have coverage for immunizations. No screening of insurance or income is required.

Those that can afford the vaccine or have immunization coverage on their insurance policy are urged to get vaccinated at their doctor’s office or at a retail pharmacy.

Officials with Whitman Medical Group reported Tuesday the clinic was currently out of the vaccine but expected a shipment in early next week.

Those who develop pertussis symptoms should contact their health care providers. Symptoms of a common cold develop about a week after exposure to the bacteria. Severe episodes of coughing start about 10 to 12 days later. In children, the coughing often ends with a “whoop” noise, which is produced when patients try to breath. The whoop noise is rare in patients under six months of age and in adults.

Coughing spells may lead to vomiting or a short loss of consciousness. Choking spells are common in infants.

For additional information, contact the county health department or the state department of health web site: http://www.doh.wa.gov.