Whooping cough outbreak prompts UI action

Johnson County is experiencing an outbreak of pertussis, better known as whooping cough.

As of Nov. 18, 82 cases have been reported among adults and children, scattered throughout the county. Several cases have been among people who work at the University and there are one or two confirmed or possible cases among students, according to Loreen Herwaldt, UIHC's hospital epidemiologist.

"Contrary to popular belief, adults do get whooping cough," Herwaldt says. "About 12 years after your last vaccination at age six or seven, you are no longer immune."

Whooping cough, which is caused by a bacteria, is marked by severe spells of intense coughing.

Most infected UI faculty and staff probably acquired the disease at home or in the community, Herwaldt ways. A few may have been infected by contact with other employees who were ill.

"There's really not anything adults can do to prevent the disease, but if you are told you have been exposed to a confirmed case of pertussis, then there are measures that can be taken," Herwaldt says.

Just being in a large room or auditorium with someone who has whooping cough doesn't constitute an exposure, she said.

"It's important to know this is a bacteria that only travels about three feet once someone coughs," Herwaldt says.

"Close contact" is considered to be more than 10 minutes face-to-face or one hour in a room with an infected person. If the contact can be identified within seven to 10 days after the exposure, the UI strongly recommends the exposed person take an antibiotic.

Several different antibiotics can be used to prevent whooping cough after an exposure or to treat the disease, depending on the individual.

Catching and treating the disease early can make the duration shorter and the symptoms milder, Herwaldt says.

Persons who are tested for pertussis should start drug therapy and should stay home until the results of their tests are known. Those whose tests are negative may return to work but should finish the antibiotics. Persons whose tests are positive must stay home for five days while taking the antibiotics.

The University Hygienic Laboratory does free diagnostic testing for employees seen at the University Employee Health Clinic. Other charges related to treatment may be covered by the University employee health insurance plan or by other health insurance plans.

Even in non-outbreak conditions, about 25 percent of all adults who have a prolonged cough have pertussis, Herwaldt says.

"The incidence of whooping cough is still way below before the time when the vaccine was introduced," she says. "But the vaccines are only 80 percent effective. That's why we see grade school children who have been vaccinated still become infected."

Vaccinated children who get pertussis usually have an a milder illness than non-vaccinated children.

"I don't want people to have tremendous anxiety about this, but I do want them to be aware of it," Herwaldt says.

by Deb Wiley