A lingering statewide outbreak of pertussis (whooping cough) in Arizona has reached 500 confirmed or probable cases, prompting state Health Director Susan Gerard to remind parents to ensure their children have been properly immunized against the highly contagious disease.

Gerard also urged residents who exhibit symptoms to seek immediate medical care.

“Typically, we hear about fewer cases during the summer break, but the cases are continuing to increase,” Gerard said. “And we are only seeing the tip of the iceberg.”

While the statewide outbreak is centered in Maricopa and Pima counties, an above average number of cases also is being reported in 11 other counties. One infant death due to pertussis has been reported in Maricopa County.

The Arizona Department of Health Services is working closely with local counties to investigate cases and to help control the outbreak. In May, Governor Napolitano signed an executive order providing $500,000 to purchase newly available adolescent pertussis vaccine. The vaccine has been distributed to local health departments to immunize adolescent children who act as a reservoir for the disease.
 
Pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory infection that affects people of all ages, but is most dangerous for infants and toddlers. The disease begins with cold-like symptoms, including runny nose and a cough that becomes increasingly worse. The disease is named after the "whoop" sound children and adults often make when they try to inhale during or after a severe coughing spell. 

"Pertussis coughs can become so bad it can be difficult to breathe, sleep or eat; and the cough can last for several weeks, even with antibiotic treatment,” State Epidemiologist David Engelthaler said. “While the disease is usually self-limiting in adolescents and adults, it can be very severe, even deadly to infants.

Infants and young children are routinely given the DTaP vaccine, which is highly effective in preventing pertussis, but the protection from the vaccine decreases over time. The FDA recently licensed two new vaccines to provide adolescents and adults a booster.

“While pertussis is most severe in very young and very old, it’s the otherwise healthy, young adolescents and adults that keep an outbreak going,” Engelthaler said.

That is why it is important that older family members and friends who have a prolonged cough stay away from newborns, until they can be checked out by their healthcare provider. “If families have a young infant in the house, it’s probably a good idea for them to check with their physician about getting a booster for the older family members,” Engelthaler recommended.

State public health officials are also stressing the importance of keeping infected children home and isolated during the first five days of antibiotic treatment.

Dr. Karen Lewis, the state health department’s medical director, stressed the importance of ensuring persons with pertussis take the full course of antibiotics prescribed and remain isolated until they have completed five days of treatment to limit potential spread of the disease. "We realize it may be difficult for a working parent to keep a child home for several days, but not following this guideline can make it extremely difficult to contain a pertussis outbreak," she said.

If you think you or a family member may have pertussis, consult your health care professional. Individuals with a cough of seven days or longer, explosive cough or sleep disturbing cough should consult with their medical provider regarding possible testing.

For more information regarding pertussis, please contact your local health department or visit the Arizona Department of Health Services web site, www.azdhs.gov.