Two cases of pertussis, or whooping cough, have recently been diagnosed on Eastern Michigan University’s campus. Snow Health Center said the two instances are being treated and individuals potentially exposed have been notified.
Pertussis is a contagious disease of the respiratory tract caused by bacteria called Bordetella pertussis. Symptoms of pertussis include a low-grade fever, runny nose and a cough that becomes severe after one or two weeks. For some, the cough might last for longer than a month.
The disease is spread through airborne droplets when an infected individual coughs, sneezes, talks or shares food and eating utensils. It might also be spread if the individual is sharing a confined space in close proximity for one hour or more.
Snow Health said pertussis can be spread easily among individuals in group settings such as schools and workplaces.
The Washtenaw County Health Department said pertussis is at a record high with 153 cases reported as of Oct. 4.
This is a noticeable increase from the 81 cases reported in 2009—which had been the highest number in years, according to the department.
So far, 75 cases have occurred in Ann Arbor, 38 in Saline, 25 in Ypsilanti and 15 in the Dexter area.
A baby from Southeastern Michigan died from the disease this year.
Compiled data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in 2009, nearly 17,000 cases of pertussis were reported in the United States, but many more go undiagnosed and unreported.
Ian Erving, an Ypsilanti resident and parent of a small child, said although he wasn’t aware of the severity of pertussis, he is glad his family is up-to-date on their vaccines.
“It sounds pretty serious,” Erving said. “I’ve seen the commercials about babies getting pertussis, but I didn’t realize such a large number of adults can get it too. I guess that’s why my wife makes sure we stay on top of doctor visits.”
The health department said the increase in pertussis cases can be attributed to decreasing immunity in teens and adults because many have yet to get the vaccine booster. More than half of last year’s cases were in teenagers and adults.
The number of cases also has increased due to the high number of unvaccinated children.
If a person becomes infected with pertussis, a treatment of a five-day course of antibiotics is given. The individual should stay isolated at home until the treatment is complete.
The health department said the best form of prevention against the disease is to get vaccinated. Vaccines are available at Snow Health Center.
Officials recommend people pay attention to hygiene and cover coughs and sneezes as well as possible. Washing hands and using sanitizer are also good prevention measures.
Rhonda Caldwell, a student at EMU, said it’s not easy for her and her friends to stay on top of vaccinations and doctor’s visits because the majority of them do not have health insurance.
“I mean who wouldn’t want to make sure they’re protected against all of these different illnesses going around,” she said. “Some of these vaccines can be kind of expensive, though. More places should have those free-vaccine drives like the pharmacies do for the flu shot.”
University Health Services will be hosting vaccination clinics today from 10 a.m. to noon in the College of Business and Friday, 9-11 a.m., in the HR training room in McKenny Hall. Flu shots cost $30 and Tdap, vaccines for tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis, cost $55.
