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WCCHD Pertussis Updates
There has been a dramatic increase in the number of confirmed pertussis cases
in 2009.
WCCHD has notified health care providers of this increase and is working closely
with the Texas Medical Association to implement a "cocooning" strategy to
protect infants.
For more information on this strategy see the article
posted at:
The Center for Vaccine Awareness and Research.
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
February 2010.
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.
2009 Pertussis Cases Reported to WCCHD
by Statistical Area
(as of 03/01/2010)
|
Area* |
Confirmed
Cases |
Probable
Cases |
|
Round Rock |
166 |
204 |
|
Cedar Park |
59 |
89 |
|
Georgetown |
107 |
58 |
|
Taylor |
36 |
16 |
|
Hutto |
35 |
28 |
|
Leander |
44 |
63 |
|
Austin (Williamson County) |
44 |
60 |
|
Bartlett |
3 |
1 |
|
Coupland |
0 |
3 |
|
Florence |
4 |
2 |
|
Granger |
3 |
0 |
|
Jarrell |
7 |
6 |
|
Liberty Hill |
7 |
4 |
|
Bertram |
0 |
3 |
|
Thrall |
0 |
0 |
|
Weir |
1 |
0 |
|
Location Undetermined |
1 |
0 |
|
Total |
517 |
537 |
|
2009 Williamson County hospital admissions:
(provisional as of 03/01/2010): 13 (6 confirmed and 7 probable Pertussis cases) |
Age of 2009 Pertussis Cases Reported by WCCHD
(as of 03/01/2010)
|
Age Range (Years) |
Confirmed
Cases |
Probable
Cases |
|
<1 |
40 |
56 |
|
1 - 4 |
86 |
98 |
|
5 - 9 |
170 |
125 |
|
10 - 14 |
101 |
81 |
|
15 - 19 |
17 |
26 |
|
20+ |
103 |
150 |
|
Unknown |
0 |
1 |
|
TOTAL |
517 |
537 |
Gender of 2009 Pertussis Cases Reported by WCCHD
(as of 03/01/2010)
|
Gender |
Confirmed
Cases |
Probable
Cases |
Total |
|
Male |
272 |
235 |
507 (48%) |
|
Female |
244 |
301 |
545 (52%) |
|
Unknown |
1 |
1 |
2 (<1%) |
Charts and Graphs
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