GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Brown County Health Department confirmed there are cases of pertussis, also known as whooping cough, in the county.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that while the number of cases nationwide has remained low overall, cases have nearly doubled this year.
Every few years, Wisconsin sees peaks in the number of reported cases reported in the state.
Right now, the Brown County Public Health Department is keeping a close watch on the above-normal number of reported pertussis infections.
Katrina Nordyke is the department’s deputy health officer.
“Typically, we see one to two cases a year and already we’re seeing some confirmed cases show up this month, particularly,” Nordyke said.
Pertussis is a respiratory infection that can affect people of any age.
Prevea Health pediatrician Dr. Thomas Huffer said children under 2 are at higher risk for major complications.
“Those kids can get very severe infections. I think about 3% of those kids will get seizures; you can see brain damage. The other big thing is about a quarter of those kids will get pneumonia as well,” Dr. Huffer said.
Dr. Huffer is also the medical director at HSHS St. Vincent Children’s Hospital. He said whooping cough outbreaks can be difficult to identify and manage because the disease can be mistaken for other illnesses.
“It looks just like cold symptoms; you think they’re perfectly fine, but they have whooping cough, and they can be transmitting it to others long before they get the characteristic cough and then that toxin actually stays in your system for a long time,” Dr. Huffer said.
This means someone could be sick for 6 to 10 weeks.
“People need to be aware that this is a bacteria that spreads through saliva. So, a cough or sneeze even talking or sharing utensils can spread the disease. It’s quite contagious and the contagious period lasts for up to three weeks after first symptom,” Nordyke said.
Nordyke said pertussis cases are being reported around the state, but the public shouldn’t be alarmed. She recommended that if someone has any concerns, they should see their doctor.
“If you are experiencing low-grade fever, sneezing, coughing, these could be some of the symptoms,” Nordyke said.
The CDC recommended whooping cough vaccinations for all babies and children, preteens and pregnant women.
Adults who have never received one should also get a Tdap shot (diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis booster vaccine).