Three Rivers Public Health Department (3RPHD) reports that pertussis, also known as whooping cough, cases are on the rise in Nebraska.
Pertussis is spread from person to person by coughing or sneezing. It can be serious, and sometimes deadly, for babies and young children, especially those who have not had all their recommended pertussis vaccines. Early symptoms of pertussis may appear like a common cold, including runny and/or stuffy noses, low-grade fevers, and mild coughs.
As of October 14, there have been 51 confirmed cases of pertussis in Nebraska, compared to 11 in 2023.
Pertussis vaccines are very effective. However, if pertussis is circulating in the community, there is a possibility that even a fully vaccinated person could catch the disease. The illness is usually less severe, and people recover faster than those who aren’t vaccinated.
To protect yourself and your family from whooping cough, 3RPHD recommends:
• Check your pertussis vaccination status with your healthcare care provider and get vaccinated, if necessary
• If you are experiencing symptoms, or if you think you have been exposed to a pertussis case, call your healthcare provider
• If you are diagnosed with pertussis, follow antibiotic treatment and stay home for 5 days
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends pertussis vaccination for everyone. Vaccination is especially important for those who spend time around infants (who are not yet eligible for vaccination) and for pregnant women during the 27-36th week of pregnancy.
The vaccine is typically combined with tetanus and diphtheria vaccines, called Tdap, or Dtap. If you have not received a Tdap vaccine in the last seven years, it is recommended to speak to your primary care provider about your risk. Three Rivers Public Health Department, as well as clinics and pharmacies, offer the Tdap vaccine.
Individuals who are diagnosed with pertussis should stay home from work, school, and other group settings until they have completed five days of antibiotics. Household members or close contacts may also be prescribed prophylaxis antibiotics. Asymptomatic contacts receiving prophylaxis should not be excluded from their usual activities. Symptomatic contacts should be evaluated for pertussis.
For more information, call Three Rivers Public Health Department at 402-727-5396 or visit
www.threeriverspublichealth.org. Additional information can be found on the Centers of Disease Control
Website at: https://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/index.html
