ESCANABA - Pertussis, more commonly referred to as "whooping cough," is on the rise nationally and in the Upper Peninsula.
Recently, there has been an increase nationwide in the number of pertussis cases reported. In Delta County, there was one confirmed case involving an adult this past May, according to Jennie Miller, communicable disease and immunization coordinator for Public Health Delta-Menominee Counties.
In the western Upper Peninsula, there was an outbreak in the spring with a total of 42 confirmed cases as of July. The peak of the outbreak affecting Baraga, Houghton and Keweenaw counties occurred in April with 23 cases reported, and an additional 19 reported in July. Pertussis can mimic symptoms often attributed to the common cold or even allergy symptoms.
It can also present itself with few, if any, symptoms other than a persistent cough lasting more than just a couple of days.
"A good rule of thumb is if a cough lasts longer than a couple of days, or if a person is feeling exceptionally sick and dragging, then they should see a physician," said Miller.
Pertussis is a bacterial infection of the respiratory tract that is highly-contagious. It can also be fatal to young children and infants.
Stage one of the infection generally includes symptom similar to a cold or allergy. As the infection progresses, coughing episodes become spasmodic, especially in children. More violent spells of spasmodic coughing are generally seen during the night-time hours.
"These bouts of spasmodic coughing make it difficult for a person to eat, drink or breathe," said Miller.
Complications from pertussis include middle ear infections, pneumonia, convulsions, brain disorder, episodes of asphyxia (not breathing) and in some cases death.
According to WebMD, there were 18 reported deaths associated with pertussis nationwide in 2008. Between 2000 and 2006, there were 156 deaths reported to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
According to information released by the CDC, of those 156 reported deaths between 2000 and 2006, 90 percent were children less than a year old, while 120, or 77 percent, were newborns less than one-month old.
The standard for pertussis immunizations is ages 2, 4, and 6 months old, with boosters at 4 to 6 years of age. Another immunization booster is recommended at age 11. The single booster is also approved for ages 11 to 64.
There is also a new state law in effect concerning immunizations for children entering school or changing school districts.
Under the new state law, children entering sixth grade who are 11 or older, or 11-18 years old and changing schools must be immunized.
The required immunizations are: two doses of varicella (chickenpox) vaccine unless they have had a confirmed case of chickenpox; one dose of meningococcal vaccine, one dose of tetanus/diptheria/pertussis (DTaP) if five years have passed since the last DTaP vaccine.
Parents who wish to determine if a booster vaccine is required or what immunizations their children may need should contact their family physician.