WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — State health officials are urging doctors to be on the lookout for cases of whooping cough, also known as pertussis, in Kansas.
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment says there have been 98 cases in the state so far this year , more than double the 41 cases reported by this time last year. Across the U.S., preliminary data shows more than four times as many cases this year as last.
Pertussis is a very contagious respiratory illness. It may start like a common cold, but the coughing can last for weeks or months . It is known as whooping cough because of the whooping sound people make during coughing fits.
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A dozen of the 98 cases in Kansas have been in babies under 12 months of age. That age group is at greatest risk of having severe complications from pertussis.
It is preventable with vaccines. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends :
- DTaP for young children at 2, 4, 6 and 15-18 months and 4-6 years of age.
- Tdap for preteens 11 through 12 years of age.
- Tdap for pregnant persons during weeks 27-36 of each pregnancy.
- Tdap for adults who have never received a previous dose.