Whooping cough confirmed in Johnson County

BUFFALO (WNE) — Two cases of pertussis – commonly called whooping cough – have been confirmed in Johnson County since October, according to the Wyoming Department of Health.

“Where we see the biggest vulnerability is infants, and it can be quite serious in infants,” Department of Health public information officer Kim Deti said.

Pertussis is a contagious respiratory illness that can be fatal in infants – the disease has about a 2% mortality rate in infants.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends pertussis vaccinations for people of all ages; the vaccine protects against the highly contagious infection.

Deti said that since May, there have been 17 confirmed and one likely case of pertussis in the state. In 2023, there were no confirmed cases.

“I don’t think there’s a particular theory,” for the increase, Deti said. “But we’re not the only location in the nation that has seen an increase in pertussis cases. Of course, we would rather see very low numbers or none at all.”

Nationally, preliminary data show that more than six times as many cases have been reported as of Dec. 7, 2024, compared with the same time in 2023, according to the CDC.

Deti said pertussis can occur in vaccinated people because the vaccine’s protection fades over time. Among the 17 confirmed cases in the state, Deti said there have been a mix of vaccination statuses – including some that were too young to have completed the series of doses and others who were vaccinated.

Deti said that people – particularly those who will be around an infant, so grandparents, parents, older siblings and daycare providers – should talk to their health care provider about whether they may need a booster of the vaccine to create a “circle of disease protection” around the infant.

“The best tool is those vaccines, so we continue to recommend them,” Deti said. “We do have confidence in recommending those vaccines, and if we had concerns about safety, we certainly wouldn’t recommend them.”

Holidays, and other occasions when families gather, can be a particularly opportune time for illnesses to spread.

This story was published on December 19, 2024.