Officials Issue Whooping Cough Warning 8 Pertussis Cases Reported In Cda Area

Eight cases of pertussis have been reported in the Coeur d’Alene area in the past three weeks, prompting health officials to warn parents of the potentially fatal cough.

Panhandle Health District officials have sent a letter to parents of students at Woodland, Canfield and Lakes Middle Schools, as well as Winton Elementary School and a Coeur d’Alene day-care center.

“Immunize your babies,” said Marie Rau, a public health nurse for the health district. “If you’re sick, stay home. Adults can get this and do get this. Adults share this with little ones … It’s a real frustrating disease.”

Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, starts as a tickle in the throat. The cough worsens and can cause gagging, choking, vomiting or a whoop sound when sufferers try to catch their breath.

Children under six can be immunized against the disease; and it is most serious for those under one year old.

“People need to be empowered that they can do something to control this,” Rau said.

Rau said the eight cases represent an increase in reported incidents, but there is no typical number of cases each year in North Idaho.

One baby died during a whooping cough outbreak in April and May 1997 that struck 156 people. Another 90 cases were reported between December 1997 and January.

Contact your doctor or the Panhandle Health District at 667-3481 for more information about pertussis.