Whooping cough hits Wisconsin hard this year

GREEN BAY - With 2012 coming to a close, updated nationwide health numbers show Wisconsin had the most cases of whooping cough this year.

Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a highly contagious respiratory infection, which in severe cases can be deadly.

Right now, cases are on the decline, but this year's outbreak beats the state's last one in 2004-2005.

Cases are still being counted, but as of December 13th, Northeastern Wisconsin had more 1,238 confirmed or probable cases, according to the state’s Department of Health Services. That's about a fifth of the state's 5,668 cases. The counties around Milwaukee and the southeastern part of the state saw the most.

Health officials say the new numbers are an important reminder to get vaccinated.

“It's hard to know exactly why Wisconsin has the highest rate, but I know certainly there are some people who sort of opt out of the vaccines, which sometimes can contribute,” said Lindsay Deuster, a pediatrician for Prevea Health.

Early symptoms of whooping cough include coughing, fever and red-injected eyes.

“It gets its name because, especially young children, get these coughing jags where they cough, cough, cough and they can't catch their breath,” said Deuster.

Children are recommended to receive five vaccines before the age of two. Older children and adults should receive booster shots.

In Northeastern Wisconsin, a majority of this year's cases were in children ages ten to 14.

“We continue to test,” said Ellen Roy, an infection preventionist for Bellin Health. “Historically we've seen it more in the summer months.”

That held true in 2012. The most cases were in April, May and June, according to the Department of Health Services.

“The other thing is if you are diagnosed with pertussis, the recommendation is you stay isolated for five days, until treatment is over,” said Roy. “That's huge.”

At least one person died this year from whooping cough. About 1.7% of case patients were hospitalized.

“If you're concerned that you might have symptoms of pertussis, you should certainly see a doctor, because it's highly contagious and we'd want people to be treated,” said Deuster.

For every 100,000 people, about 93 in Wisconsin had a confirmed or probable case of whooping cough. Minnesota was second with 78 people per 100,000. Vermont was third.

Wisconsin's rate is eight times the national rate of about 11 people per 100,000.