The Wyoming Department of Health reported on March 7th that pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, continues to spread across the state. Clay Van Houten, the infectious disease epidemiology unit manager, confirmed 30 cases so far this year. Two-thirds of these cases are in Sheridan County, with the disease also detected in eight other counties. Last year, Wyoming recorded 19 cases, following zero in 2023 and two in 2022. Van Houten described the sharp rise since late 2024 as significant and worrisome, noting that actual numbers may be higher due to unreported or unrecognized cases.
Pertussis starts with symptoms similar to a cold, including a mild cough. After one to two weeks, a persistent cough with spasms develops, often producing a “whooping” sound in infants and children. Dr. Alexia Harrist, state health officer and epidemiologist, emphasized that over half of infants under one year who contract pertussis require hospitalization, and the illness can be fatal for them due to their lack of vaccine protection.
Health officials stress the importance of the Tdap booster vaccine, especially for adults around newborns, such as parents and grandparents. Harrist advised pregnant women or those planning pregnancy to consult their doctors about the Tdap vaccine to safeguard infants. She urged all residents to keep up with pertussis vaccinations to reduce severity if infected and suggested antibiotics for those showing symptoms. More details are available on the Wyoming Department of Health website.
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