Community Corner
Johnson County Experiencing Pertussis (Whooping Cough) Outbreak
Johnson County Health Officials warn to be on the look out for whooping cough cases in the community.
Media Release from Johnson County Health Department
Johnson County is experiencing a community-wide outbreak of pertussis. The majority of cases are in school-age children; however, we have seen several cases in adults. It is especially important that adults and adolescents receive pertussis- containing vaccine because they can spread the disease to infants who are too young to be immunized. Adults and adolescents can receive Tdap, the adult tetanus vaccine that also contains pertussis vaccine, from their healthcare provider.
What is Pertussis?
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Pertussis is a disease caused by bacteria causing severe spells of coughing. These spells can interfere with eating, drinking and breathing. Pertussis can lead to pneumonia, convulsions, inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) and sometimes death.
What measures are being taken in Johnson County to control the outbreak?
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Johnson County Public Health (JCPH) alerted the medical community about pertussis when the first cases were reported. JCPH and Johnson County school districts are working closely together to increase early identification of potential cases of
pertussis and to quickly notify people exposed to pertussis. JCPH conducts interviews of new pertussis cases. Contacts of these cases are identified and notified by JCPH of the exposure.
JCPH then provides individualized recommendations to those contacts for prevention or early recognition of illness.
What can members of the public do to help control this outbreak?
Practice good personal hygiene including covering your nose and mouth when coughing, using tissues and disposing of them appropriately, and most importantly, washing hands often.
See your physician and ask to be tested for pertussis if you have cold-like symptoms that progress to spells of coughing, whoop or post-cough vomiting.
If you have symptoms of pertussis, start on antibiotic therapy and stay home from school, daycare, work, and social gatherings until you complete the first 5 full days of your medicine.
Where can I get more information about pertussis?
Call Johnson County Public Health at (319) 356-6040 or visit their website here.