Eastern Idaho Public Health (EIPH) has received a report of a pertussis case.  Pertussis is also known as whooping cough. The last case of pertussis reported to Eastern Idaho Public Health was 3 years ago in March of 2020. The new case had traveled to areas or had been around people from areas that have seen outbreaks of pertussis cases since the beginning of 2023.  Areas near EIPH with outbreaks of pertussis include Cache Valley, Utah, and in the towns of Lethbridge and Medicine Hat in Canada (on the border of Montana). The case had been traveling with a child who participates in volleyball tournaments around Utah, Montana, and Idaho. Teams from Canada participated at some of the tournaments in Montana.

Information on pertussis (whooping cough) for clinicians in regards to diagnosis, testing and treatment can be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC) website at https://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/clinical/index.html.  EIPH has highlighted below key points from CDC’s information that we would especially like healthcare providers in our area to be aware of:

·       In its early stages, whooping cough appears to be nothing more than the common cold.  Therefore, doctors often do not suspect or diagnose it until the more severe symptoms appear.  One to 2 weeks after the first symptoms start, people with whooping cough may develop paroxysms—rapid, violent, and uncontrolled coughing fits.  In-between these coughing fits the person may seem well which would also make diagnosis difficult if person seems well during office visit.  If person has a cell phone that can record video, have the person record their coughing fit / apnea episode. This has helped providers test for and diagnose pertussis.

·       The illness can be milder and the characteristic paroxysmal cough and “whoop” may be absent in children, adolescents, and adults who were previously vaccinated.

·       Preferred testing for pertussis is a nasopharyngeal (NP) swab or aspirate for PCR testing. PCR is the most rapid test available and can be used up to 3 to 4 weeks following cough onset.

·       CDC supports providing antimicrobial PEP (postexposure prophylaxis) to:

o   All household contacts of a pertussis case, even when household contacts are current with pertussis immunizations.

o   People at high risk of developing severe pertussis, as well as people who will have close contact with others at high risk of developing severe pertussis. High risk people are:

§  Infants and women in their third trimester of pregnancy.

§  All people with pre-existing health conditions that may be exacerbated by a pertussis infection. 

§  People who have close contact with people who are at high risk.

§  All people in high risk settings that include infants under 12 months of age or women in the third trimester of pregnancy.

·       Bordetella pertussis is a reportable disease in Idaho. Bordetella parapertussis is not a reportable disease in Idaho.

·       Encourage everyone to get or be current on their pertussis vaccinations.

Please report cases of pertussis to EIPH’s Reportable Disease Line at 208-533-3152 or fax lab report with case’s demographics (name, date of birth, sex, address, phone number) to 208-533-3143. You may use EIPH’s reportable disease form found at https://eiph.id.gov/wp-content/uploads/EPI/Reportable-Disease-Lab-Report_1-10-2022.pdf.