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Whooping cough cases have tripled this year in North Dakota

Whooping cough cases have tripled this year in North Dakota
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NEW TOWN, N.D. (Oct. 31, 2024)—The North Dakota Department of Health and Human Resources reports that as of October 2024, there have been 73 cases of pertussis, also known as “whooping cough.” According to HHS, North Dakota had 17 cases in 2023.

Mild symptoms can last one to two weeks. It shows up as occasional coughing, runny and stuffy nose, and a low-grade fever. Advanced symptoms include vomiting, fatigue, trouble sleeping, and coughing so intense that it interrupts breathing and can be fatal. Pertussis spreads by respiratory droplets, and the severity of the infection depends on multiple factors. Adults who have underlying medical conditions are at risk of developing more severe whooping cough symptoms even if they’ve been vaccinated. In infants, symptoms can look like struggling to breathe or a “whoop” when breathing, coughing spells, and trouble eating and drinking. The illness can last more than six weeks. 

The CDC recommends getting vaccinated for pertussis, especially adults close to children.  The vaccine is 70 to 98% effective in protecting against the disease. Babies typically get the first of five doses of DTaP at two months and the last before starting school. The preventative measures continue for children 11 or 12 years old who get a dose of Tdap.  Adults who have gotten vaccinated are encouraged to get a booster vaccine every ten years, and pregnant people should receive a vaccination with each pregnancy. Any adult who has never received a pertussis vaccine should get it. 

Mountrail County has four reported cases of pertussis, two in McKenzie County and one in Ward County.n near someone with whooping cough or suspect you have it, you can schedule an appointment with a provider at Elbowoods Memorial Health Center. Let’s keep the case count as low as possible to prevent a wider spread. 

-EMHC Public Health Nursing