Pertussis Updates

2008 WCCHD Pertussis Updates

WCCHD has noted a recent increase in the number of confirmed pertussis cases. WCCHD is notifying health care providers of this increase. When cases are reported in school-age children, WCCHD assists school districts in informing parents and staff members and ensuring appropriate control measures are taken. The symptom onset date for the most recent laboratory confirmed case of pertussis is in November.

2008 WCCHD Pertussis Statistics

Laboratory testing is vital in confirming pertussis as the cause of an outbreak, ruling out other diseases that may produce pertussis-like symptoms. The timing of specimen collection may be improved if pertussis is suspected early on in the course of the illness. Laboratory test results for a person with pertussis may be negative if specimens are collected >2 weeks after cough onset. During periods of increased incidence and outbreaks, increased awareness of pertussis by health care providers and the general public leads to more testing. Furthermore, specimens are more likely to be collected early in the course of illness due to an increased index of suspicion for pertussis. Specimen collection for endemic or sporadic cases, especially for adults, may not be optimal, often making laboratory confirmation difficult. Suspect cases with negative test results will only be classified as “probable” if they meet the clinical case definition.

Age of 2008 Pertussis Cases Reported by WCCHD (as of 12/02/08)

Age Range (Years)	Confirmed Cases	Probable Cases
<1	2	11
1 - 4	0	6
5 - 9	2	10
10 - 14	1	4
15 - 19	0	1
20+	2	6
TOTAL	7	38

2008 Pertussis Cases Reported to WCCHD by Statistical Area (as of 12/02/08)

*Areas defined by one or more zip code boundaries.