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Editorial: Free shots today part of knocking out pertussis

Sat., May 12, 2012

Last month, the Washingon State Department of Health declared that the spread of pertussis had reached epidemic proportions. Through April 28 (the latest figures available), the state reported 1,132 cases of the disease better known as whooping cough. That’s 167 more cases than occurred all of last year. Most of the cases have been on the West Side, but 14 cases have been confirmed in Spokane. At this point last year, there was none.

Conversely, the number of pertussis cases in Kootenai County is down. Only two cases have been confirmed this year. Last year at this point, there were 20 cases.

The risk of contracting this disease will remain for several more months, says the Spokane Regional Health District, so immunization is highly recommended. It takes 90 percent of the population to be immune to effectively stop the disease’s spread.

The district will provide free shots today, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., to adults (19 and over) who are uninsured or whose insurance doesn’t cover shots. The address is 1101 W. College Ave. Parking is free.

Parents of infants and toddlers are especially encouraged to get the shots, because the disease is highly contagious and young children are the most susceptible to serious complications, such as pneumonia and convulsions. They may even stop breathing.

The symptoms in adults can be less severe, and it may seem like a common cold. Someone with a mild but persistent cough could be spreading the disease unwittingly. Because of this, the number of confirmed cases “is just the tip of the iceberg,” says Dr. Joel McCullough, health officer for Spokane County.

The more obvious cases of whooping cough consist of coughing spells that lead to gagging or vomiting. Some people may make a whooping sound to catch their breath – hence the name.

If the current statewide pace continues, there will be more than 3,000 cases of whooping cough for the year, which is a level that hasn’t been reached in decades. The outbreak has gotten so worrisome that Gov. Chris Gregoire is making $90,000 in “crisis cash” available for public awareness campaigns. That’s on top of the $200,000 the state Department of Health was already planning to spend. The feds are also allowing the state to divert some funds to pay for vaccinating the uninsured.

If you’d like more details about the disease, the outbreak and vaccinations, visit the Spokane Regional Health District’s website, www.srhd.org.>

As with all communicable diseases, a high rate of vaccination is vital. The sooner the community defends itself against whooping cough, the sooner it will be silenced.