Public Health Alert from Columbus Public Health and Franklin County Board of Health

Public Health Alert from Columbus Public Health and Franklin County Board of Health, November 4, 2010

Pertussis Update – Local Outbreak Largest Seen in 25 Years

The number of pertussis (whooping cough) cases in Columbus/Franklin County has been increasing steadily into what is now the largest outbreak of pertussis in our community in the last 25 years, with more than 707 cases reported as of October 30.

We are making a pre-emptive call to action to protect infants -- preventing future cases, hospitalizations and possibly deaths right here in our community. Taking action now is the safest way to avoid the epidemic number of cases and deaths California is experiencing, where 6,257 cases of pertussis have been reported and tragically ten babies have died (as of Oct. 2010).

Steps to Prevent Pertussis and Stop This Outbreak

·  All residents need to be vaccinated against pertussis.

·  Women should get the Tdap booster before and immediately after pregnancy.

·  Family members and caregivers of infants should make sure they are up to date with their pertussis vaccinations.

·  Children should get five DTaP vaccinations between two months of age and when they start school, and a Tdap booster upon 7th grade entry.

·  All health care workers, school staff, and childcare providers should be fully immunized for pertussis. This applies to individuals over 65 years old.

·  The Tdap booster shot is available and recommended for people 10 and older, but it can be given to children ages 7 – 9 who need to catch up.

Find Locations for Vaccine http://www.publichealth.columbus.gov/uploadedFiles/Public_Health/Content_Administrators/Homepage_Features/TdapProvidersOnly.pdf

Why This is Serious

Pertussis is a vaccine preventable, bacterial respiratory disease that spreads easily by close contact with respiratory secretions. It usually begins with cold-like symptoms and often proceeds to a severe constant cough that ends with a “whoop”. Older children, teens and adults may not have the “whoop” sound. Young infants are particularly vulnerable and may require hospitalization

For More Information:

Columbus Public Health – Whooping Cough Information http://www.publichealth.columbus.gov/health_rss.aspx?id=32378

Nationwide Children’s Hospital – Pertussis

http://www.nationwidechildrens.org/pertussis