NAPNAP Launches Pertussis.com to Raise Awareness of
                         Increasing Disease Incidence

    CHERRY HILL, N.J., Aug. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- In response to the
rising incidence of pertussis among infants and children in the U.S., the
National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) today launched
a new on-line resource -- "pertussis.com" -- to raise awareness of this
vaccine-preventable pediatric disease and outline prevention and treatment
strategies among healthcare professionals and parents.  According to the U.S.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 17 infants died from
pertussis in 2000 with the onset of pertussis symptoms occurring at four
months of age or less.
    "With nearly 8,000 cases of pertussis reported in 2001 and outbreaks
occurring every 3 to 4 years, both healthcare professionals and parents need
to identify symptoms of pertussis sooner and understand how milder forms of
pertussis in adults and older children can be easily transmitted to
susceptible infants who are at increased risk for severe disease and even
death," said MaryBeth Koslap-Petraco, a nurse practitioner who co-chairs
NAPNAP's special interest group on immunization.  "Pertussis.com is an
invaluable tool because its interactive menu allows visitors to see and hear a
case of pertussis on-line and provides useful information about risk factors,
treatment, and the importance of vaccination to prevent the disease."
    Pertussis is generally under-reported and under-diagnosed for several
potential reasons, including misconceptions that immunization has eliminated
the disease and the prevalence of milder forms of the disease, which usually
escapes detection because the symptoms of pertussis, such as the signature
"whooping cough," are not always present.

    About Pertussis.com
    NAPNAP is sponsoring this website in an effort to promote recognition and
reporting of this serious childhood disease.  The site also includes an
"outbreak digest" in the form of a state-by-state interactive map that details
pertussis outbreaks as well as a reporting guide to assist healthcare
providers who wish to report a case.  In addition, a guide for parents is also
provided in both English and Spanish.  NAPNAP developed pertussis.com with the
support of an unrestricted educational grant from Aventis Pasteur.
    "Mild pertussis disease, which is very hard to diagnose because it so
closely resembles the common cold, appears to be contributing to the spread of
the disease among young infants," said Dr. Renee McLeod, a nurse practitioner
who serves on the editorial board for pertussis.com.  "Pertussis.com can help
healthcare providers and parents to recognize the disease and better
understand how easily it can be transmitted through household contacts."
    Pertussis.com provides easy-to-access information for healthcare
professionals by addressing such issues as:

    * The increasing number of cases in older children and adults (who can
      easily transmit it to infants with whom they come in contact)

    * Outbreak trends on a state-by-state basis (U.S. only)

    * How to diagnose and report suspected pertussis cases to state and
      federal public health offices

    * Optimal prevention and treatment strategies

    Pertussis disease, more commonly known as "whooping cough," is a highly
contagious bacterial respiratory infection.  Since the early 1980s, pertussis
incidence has increased steadily with peaks occurring every 3-4 years.
Approximately 24 percent of reported cases in the U.S. occur in infants
younger than six months of age, including 18 percent in infants younger than
three months of age.  According to the CDC, young children remain the highest
risk group for severe illness, complications, and death.

    NAPNAP is the professional association that advocates for children and
Pediatric Nurse Practitioners.  NAPNAP has over 6,600 members and 50 chapters
in 30 states.  For more information about NAPNAP, please contact the national
office at 856/857-9700 or visit the NAPNAP web site at http://www.napnap.org.

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