Over 1,240 cases of pertussis, better known as whooping cough, have been reported across Colorado. The latest data from December shows that most of the cases are children and teenagers.
"We've already exceeded the total number of cases that we had last year [2014]," said Director of Weld County Public Health and Environment Dr. Mark Wallace. Weld County has reported 184 cases of pertussis to date, which ranks it among the highest in the state.
"We clearly see a season in which we're having much more pertussis diagnosed then we had last season so my guess is we're going to see a banner year for this," Wallace said.
The pertussis shot is part of the usual immunizations given to infants. But their immunity tends to wain when they hit adolescence. Wallace said that area schools are "doing a really good job" identifying children who are due for immunizations. But older age groups slip through the cracks.
"When we look at young babies that we're trying to protect we'll frequently see the pertussis they contracted came from a caregiver, a parent or a grandparent. They may have a milder illness and then when it gets into the younger population it gets more severe."
The highly contagious bacterial disease starts with a mild cough that gets progressively worse until it becomes hard to breathe. It's important for adults and teenagers to get a one-time booster shot because they often carry the disease without symptoms and can pass it on to children or the elderly.
"At this time of year, while we talk a lot about pertussis we're also having a heck of a flu season, and just that good old public health message of cover your cough and wash your hands frequently," Dr. Wallace said.
