Central District Health reports an increase in whooping cough cases

Boise, ID (CBS2) — Central District Health (CDH) says there has been a rise in the number of whooping cough cases since the start of the year.

Since the start of 2024, CDH says the number of whooping coughs, also known as pertussis, cases have doubled since 2023.

There have been 14 cases so far this year compared to seven cases in 2023 and two cases in 2022.

“Approximately every five years, rates of pertussis circulating in the community increase.” Said Victoria O’Dell, CDH staff epidemiologist. “2024 is the five-year mark since the last increase of whooping cough in our community, and we expect the rates of whooping cough to increase through 2024 compared to previous years. We want to keep everyone in our community safe by reminding families about the risks and the strategies of preventing whooping cough.”

Whooping cough is a bacteria known as Bordetella pertussis, that is spread from person to person through the air after an infected person coughs or sneezes for up to two weeks after the cough starts.

Whooping cough is treatable with antibiotics, it is also preventable with a vaccine that can protect against becoming sick or lessen the severity of the illness.

Symptoms of whooping cough include a runny nose, congestion, and a fever but it is most commonly known for the high-pitched "whoop" sounds when a person inhales at the end of a coughing fit.

People who have whooping cough often develop rapid, violent, and uncontrollable coughing fits that can lead to vomiting from the severity of the cough. This can last for months or go away and return months later.

Kids and babies are affected most by whooping cough and can have difficulty breathing.

CDH recommends washing your hands frequently, coughing into your arm, and talking to your doctor if you or your family have a cough, runny nose, congestion, and or fever.

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