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Pertussis Outbreak Expected To Get Worse More Cases Confirmed; Officials Predict Further Spread Before Containment

By Craig Welch craigw@olywa.net

The number of confirmed pertussis cases in Kootenai County climbed to 23 on Saturday.

And health officials believe the number will continue to rise before the bacterial outbreak eventually is contained.

Commonly known as whooping cough, the bacteria caused the death of a 2-month-old Post Falls boy two weeks ago in an in-home day care.

“It would be nice to think that we are at the end of the outbreak, but, in fact, more cases are expected,” Panhandle Health District officials said in a written statement Saturday.

Pertussis has been found in day cares in Post Falls, Coeur d’Alene and Wallace and elementary schools in Post Falls and Hayden.

Although found primarily in school children, the victims range in age from 2 months to adults.

Compounding the problem is Idaho’s immunization rate, the nation’s lowest at 66 percent. North Idaho is even lower at 61.2 percent.

The Post Falls child was only days away from his first immunization appointment.

Immunization is effective only for children, and only 70 to 90 percent of the time.

At least some of the current victims are up to date with their shots.

Pertussis sparks violent bursts of coughing that may last more than two weeks.

If not treated, it can lead to pneumonia, encephalitis or death in children.

“The only way we can make this disease stop is if the entire community works together to conquer it,” the Health District reported. , DataTimes MEMO: Cut in Spokane edition This sidebar appeared with the story: PRECAUTIONS Health officials urged parents and children to: Get children under age 7 immunized. Stay away from others if suffering a respiratory illness. See a doctor if they’ve been in contact with someone known to have pertussis, regardless of age. Avoid sharing anything that someone else has had in his or her mouth, like cigarettes or utensils.

Cut in Spokane edition This sidebar appeared with the story: PRECAUTIONS Health officials urged parents and children to: Get children under age 7 immunized. Stay away from others if suffering a respiratory illness. See a doctor if they’ve been in contact with someone known to have pertussis, regardless of age. Avoid sharing anything that someone else has had in his or her mouth, like cigarettes or utensils.