11-25-2015 Update on Pertussis

The Mercer County Celina City Health Department has received 16 PCR positive tests for Bordetella pertussis since 11-5-2015. All cases are localized.

The onset of cough symptoms occurred at present from 10-19-2015 to 11-19-2015.

The ages have ranged from 4 months of age to 58 years old. Fourteen cases were children, and two were adults. The median age is 5 years old.

The symptoms have been mild. Fevers have been reported in only a few cases. No hospitalizations have been reported.Even though the symptoms have not been severe, the bacteria is very contagious.

Seven of the cases had not had pertussis immunizations. Eight of the cases were immunized, and we are still waiting on one immunization record.

Parapertussis is not reportable. However we are aware of 2 PCR positive tests for parapertussis in contacts of Bordetella Pertussis positive cases.

We are working with ODH and have received the culture/PCR kits for Bordetella specimens to determine CDC sequencing.

Please continue to encourage Respiratory Hygiene in your offices. Please ask your patients coming in with a cough or influenza-like illness (fever, chills, sore throat, cough, runny nose, body aches, fatigue) to wear a mask. If they are unable to tolerate wearing a mask or too young to understand to keep the mask on, please try to room as soon as possible. Please protect yourself by wearing a mask if the client is not wearing one.

If the client is being sent to lab for testing, please send with a mask to wear to reduce exposure of other staff and others.

Culture or PCR is the diagnostic procedure of choice. Cultures should be collected from a nasopharyngeal specimen during the first two weeks of cough.

Recommended antimicrobial treatment and postexposure prophylaxis for pertussis, by age group can be found at Postexposure prophylaxis with an effective antimicrobial agent can be administered to contacts prior to illness onset. CDC supports targeting postexposure antibiotic use to persons at high risk of developing severe pertussis and to persons who will have close contact with those at high risk of developing severe pertussis.

Immunization with pertussis vaccine is the most important measure for the control of pertussis. Please encourage all persons to be up to date with Dtap from ages 6 weeks to 6 years old and Tdap for those 7 years old and older.

The Information from the Ohio Department of Health Infectious Disease Manual had been faxed 11-5-15 to each of the physician offices. If you did not receive the guidelines, they can be found at by searching pertussis.

More information on pertussis can be found at the two following websites:

Julie Shaffer, BSN RN Deb Scheer,BSN RN

Director of Nursing Epidemiologist

Fax 419-586-3910 Fax 419-586-3910

419-586-3251 ext 1279 419-586-3251 ext 1298

220 W. LIVINGSTON ST. – B152. CELINA, OHIO45822.

Work (419) 586-3251 Fax (419) 586-2583 Email:

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