OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – Whooping Cough or Pertussis is a concern nationwide and here at home.
Local health officials told First Alert 6 the highly contagious infection is attaching vulnerable communities.
“The age range that we’re seeing most frequently are from ages 7 to 19,” Dr. Lindsay Huse with the Douglas County Health Department said. “They’re really in that cohort where either their vaccine has worn off and they’re due for a booster.”
Huse said there have been 127 whooping coughing cases in the county this year and 76 of those were reported in the last month of November.
In 2023, the county only reported on case of the virus.
“We estimate that that comes out to about 12,000 people that have actually been exposed to Pertusis in the community,” Huse said.
People not wearing masks and not getting vaccinated are two reasons Huse believes we’re seeing an increase.
She said this puts many at risk, especially as we gather for the holidays.
“This is not an infection where you get it 10 days later and you’re fine,” Huse said. “It could happen for some people but there are a lot of people who end up having a nasty cough for up to three months after.”
Huse said the best way to prevent an infection is to get vaccinated.
Infants get a series of shot, but as for adults.
“We do recommend that adults get one booster at some point especially if they’re around babies a lot,” Huse said.
The CDC said the bacteria that causes the whooping cough can be easily spread from person to person through the air.
People can be contagious for weeks after coughing starts. If you do need to egt the vaccine before a holiday gathering, remember it can take about two weeks for protective antibodies to peak.
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