SPOKANE, Wash. — Spokane Regional Health District confirmed on 123 cases of pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough in the region. The infections are primarily among infants, toddlers and school-aged children.
Six of the cases required hospitalization.
The 123 cases marks a significant increase from the zero cases reported this time last year.
In North Idaho, the problem is worse. According to the Panhandle Health District there have been 278 confirmed cases of whooping cough in 2024. That is compared to the 26 cases combined in 2020-2023.
The bacteria that causes whooping cough is spread when an infected person sneezes or coughs infectious droplets of moisture which are then breathed in by another person.
Children who have not been immunized with at least the three-dose primary series of DTaP (diphtheria/tetanus acellular/pertussis) vaccine are the most vulnerable to the disease.
Although the disease may produce only a mild, persistent cough in adults or adolescents, young children exposed to the disease can be at risk for severe complications. Some complications include repeated coughing that can continue for weeks and in rare cases leads to asphyxiation, brain damage or death.
Health Officer Dr. Francisco Velazquez recommended washing hands well and often, staying home and away from others when sick, covering coughs and sneezes, cleaning frequently touched surfaces, and to seek health care right away if you have risk factors for severe illness.