Jefferson County Public Health reported Monday that there are now 150 confirmed cases of whooping cough in the county.

The illness, also known as pertussis, has been spreading rapidly this month.

On November 8, officials first announced whooping cough was present in the county with nine confirmed cases.

Lewis County now has three cases, which is up from one.

St. Lawrence County has one case.

Whooping cough may begin with cold-like symptoms or a dry cough that progresses to episodes of severe coughing in about 1 to 2 weeks.

Pertussis is primarily spread by direct contact with discharges from the nose and throat of infected individuals.

The following is a news release from Jefferson County Public Health:

Adult Vaccination important to Prevent Whooping Cough in Children

WATERTOWN, NY – November 22, 2010 – Pertussis cases continue to increase in Jefferson County.  as of November 21, 2010, 150 cases have been confirmed through physician and health care provider testing.  Jefferson County Public Health Service urges all adults to have the Tdap vaccination.  even though most adults received this vaccine as children, over time the protection wears off and a booster is needed.

Tdap vaccination will protect adults and their family from pertussis (whooping cough).  Protection occurs within 10-14 days of vaccination.  This is not a treatment.  If someone has already been exposed to whooping cough this will not prevent them from developing the disease.  even with this vaccination any antibiotic treatment that has been started to treat or prevent pertussis should be finished as prescribed. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend immunization for all adults and adolescents as the best way to prevent the spread of pertussis among young children.  Babies are most vulnerable before they can have their first vaccine against pertussis at two months of age, however, babies under six months are still very much at risk.  This youngest age group is most vulnerable to severe disease and death from pertussis. Children are not fully protected until they have been vaccinated with the entire primary series, usually by age 6.

Because immunity from early childhood vaccination decreases over time, adults and teens can become infected with pertussis time and again, putting themselves and young children at risk. Boosting reduces the risk of contracting pertussis and can decrease severity of disease.

Only combination vaccines are used to prevent diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis including DTaP and Tdap.                    

DTaP is usually given to children younger than 7 years of age. Tdap is licensed for those 10 to 64 years of age, however, as of October 2010, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has recommended that it be given to children over the age of 7 (if underimmunized or their vaccination status is not known) and adults 65 years of age and older. Studies have shown that children who received three or four doses were 80%-85% less likely to develop pertussis than unvaccinated children. Tdap vaccine is believed to be similar in effectiveness and duration of immunity as pediatric DTaP vaccines. to provide optimum pertussis vaccine coverage, children ages 2 months to 6 years should receive all age appropriate doses of DTaP vaccine which includes a booster dose between the ages of 4-6 years, prior to school attendance. This will result in 5 doses being administered which exceeds the current NYS school requirement, but is recommended to provide maximum coverage. in 2005, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended a dose of a combination tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis vaccine or Tdap for use in 11 through 64 year olds.

Here are the key recommendations for using Tdap to date, including new ACIP recommendations:

- among adolescents who have completed their childhood pertussis vaccinations, Tdap is routinely recommended as a single dose with preferred administration at 11 to 12 years of age. Tdap vaccine is required for school attendance by NYS Public Health Law. This includes grades 6 through 9 for the 2010-11 school year.

- If an adolescent patient was not fully vaccinated for pertussis as a child or to meet school requirements, check the ACIP recommendations and catch-up schedule to determine what’s indicated. Children ages 7 to 10 years who are underimmunized against pertussis or for whom vaccination status isn’t known can and should  receive a dose of the Tdap vaccine.

- Any adult 19 through 64 years old who has not received a dose of Tdap should get one. This can replace one of the 10-year Td booster doses.

- People older than 64 who have contact with infants younger than 12 months and/or haven’t received the Tdap vaccine should receive Tdap in place of the Td vaccine.

- it is no longer necessary to wait the typical 10 years to get the adult dose of Tdap after the last dose of Td.

- Women should ideally receive Tdap before becoming pregnant. Pregnant women who were not vaccinated previously with Tdap should receive Tdap in the immediate postpartum period before discharge from hospital or birthing center. although pregnancy is not a contraindication for receiving Tdap vaccine, healthcare providers should weigh the risks and benefits before choosing to administer Tdap vaccine to a pregnant womanincluding the possibility of increased risk of contracting pertussis during a community outbreak. Keep in mind that Tdap is not just for moms, it’s for all family members and caregivers of the infant.

- Healthcare personnel who work in hospitals or ambulatory care settings and have direct patient contact should receive a single dose of Tdap as soon as feasible. Priority should be given to vaccination of healthcare personnel who have direct contact with infants 12 months of age and younger.

- Tdap is preferred to Td for adults vaccinated >5 years earlier who require a tetanus toxoid-containing vaccine as part of wound management. Adults aged 19 years and older who require a tetanus toxoid-containing vaccine as part of wound management should receive Tdap instead of Td if they have not previously received Tdap.

- The Tdap vaccine is a killed vaccine that protects against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis. – The body makes antibodies to fight off the pertussis bacteria in the vaccine. – These antibodies remain in the body’s immune system. – If the body is exposed to pertussis bacteria, the antibodies respond and fight it off. – Protection from pertussis decreases over time. – Vaccination with a booster is needed every ten years to stay protected. – The risks associated with pertussis, tetanus or diphtheria infection are far greater than the possible side effects of the DTaP and Tdap booster vaccines that prevent these deadly diseases among young children, adolescents and adults. – The Tdap booster vaccine extends protection against tetanus and diphtheria as well as pertussis among adults and adolescents.

Jefferson County Public Health Service offers both Tdap and DTaP vaccine at their immunization clinic on Wednesdays from 12:30-3:30 P.M, at 531 Meade St., Watertown.  Adults and children ages 7 and older who are underimmunized against pertussis or for whom vaccination status isn’t known can receive Tdap.  At this time there is no charge for Tdap.  DTaP is available for children age 2 months to six years that are underimmunized or unimmunized.  there is a charge of $5 per family for DTaP.  for additional information about obtaining vaccinations, please contact your primary care provider or call the Jefferson County Public Health Service at 786-3720.