Kitsap County reporting highest number of pertussis cases in 3 years
Feb 13, 2015, 5:26 PM | Updated: 6:01 pm
Cases of whooping cough are being reported on Bainbridge Island and North Kitsap. It's the second highest number reported in one year since 2012. (AP)
(AP)
Areas of Kitsap County are reporting the highest number of pertussis cases – or whooping cough – since 2012.
There have been 99 cases of pertussis reported to the Kitsap Public Health District since June 1, 2014. The majority of cases are on Bainbridge Island, with the rest in North Kitsap.
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Why the majority of cases are on Bainbridge Island is not known.
“I’m not sure I can give a definite reason, other than it’s just there,” said Dr. Susan Turner, health officer for the health district. “It’s spreading among people there.”
Generally, the illness spreads between people who spend a lot of time together.
“Yes, we would expect to see that in a tight-knit community,” Turner said.
Pertussis can be serious for infants less than 1 year old. The disease can easily spread through droplets in the air from a sick person, even if that person is just talking.
The illness begins with symptoms similar to the common cold. Children often develop coughing fits that have a high-pitched “whoop” sound. The “whoop” is a sign the person is struggling to breath. The illness can be severe and cause deaths – although rare.
Washington reported an outbreak state-wide in 2012. Though there are a high number of cases elsewhere in the state, 2015 has not yet been considered an outbreak year, Turner said.
While the health district continues to receive reports of whooping cough, there hasn’t been a “huge influx” recently, Turner said.
“The outbreak may be closer to its end, than farther from its end,” she said.
