Whooping cough having an 'epidemic year,' Snohomish County doctor warns

EVERETT — Whooping cough cases in Snohomish County have already tripled the total number from last year, and the highly contagious respiratory infection could continue to spread, health officials warn.

So far this year, Snohomish County has reported 10 confirmed or probable cases of pertussis, the bacterial illness commonly known as “whooping cough.” From 2021 to 2023, the county reported no more than three cases each year. The county has not reported any pertussis-related deaths this year.

Symptoms are most common among school-age children and include a runny nose, sneezing and coughing. The illness is spread person-to-person through respiratory droplets. Over two weeks, the infection can cause coughing fits or spasms with vomiting or a “whooping” sound.

“We are likely entering an epidemic year for pertussis,” County Health Officer Dr. James Lewis said in a press release Thursday. “Many folks have fallen behind on immunizations and that, combined with the lack of pertussis circulating in recent years, has likely decreased overall immunity within the broader community.”

https://www.heraldnet.com/news/whooping-cough-having-an-epidemic-year-snohomish-county-doctor-warns/