As you have likely seen in the news, we are seeing an explosion of whooping cough (pertussis) cases statewide. Here in Snohomish County, there have been 40 confirmed cases since January and most of those have happened in the last few weeks. To put that into perspective, there were only 23 cases in 2014 and 57 cases in 2013.
Thankfully we are not at the epidemic levels last seen in 2012, and I am hopeful that by all of us doing our part we can spare Snohomish County from a repeat.
Whooping cough is a serious disease that affects the respiratory system and is spread by coughing and sneezing. Of the 40 cases in our county, nearly three-quarters have been students between the ages of 6 and 18. This is not surprising given the close quarters students keep during the school day.
We must assume that everyone exposed — whether it’s other classmates, friends or family members — is potentially infected. This is why the Snohomish Health District works in close partnership with our schools and local health providers. In recent weeks, staff have sent letters to parents and caregivers at 12 schools across our county, as well as a handful of local community groups and youth activity clubs.
The single most effective way to prevent whooping cough is the pertussis vaccine. Our primary concern is protecting our most vulnerable — infants who cannot be immunized until six weeks old. For that reason, it is absolutely critical that pregnant women receive the Tdap vaccine with every pregnancy.
This is a bit of a departure from recommendations during the 2012 epidemic, mainly because vaccine science continues to evolve. We now know that pregnancy changes the immune system in mothers, and waiting until delivery to administer the vaccine still puts the newborn at risk. Receiving the vaccine during the third trimester, and ideally in conjunction with the 28-week glucose screening, provides maximum benefit to the mother and her baby.
It is also important that everyone coming into close contact with newborns is immunized. This includes siblings, grandparents, caregivers and other friends and family. I encourage you to talk with your health care provider to see if your vaccinations are up to date. And thanks to the Affordable Care Act, and increased access at local pharmacies, getting immunized is easier than ever.
April 18-25 is National Infant Immunization Week. Pertussis and many other diseases are entirely preventable thanks to advances in vaccines. Once newborns reach the six-week mark they need to begin the immunization series schedule for pertussis and other vaccine preventable diseases as recommended.
By working together, we can ensure a safer and healthier community. It is up to all of us to protect our children so that they can get the healthy starts they deserve.
Dr. Gary Goldbaum is the health officer and director for the Snohomish Health District.
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