Whooping cough cases at record highs across the nation, but low in Utah
Dec 27, 2024, 5:00 PM
This 2016 illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention depicts Bordetella pertussis bacteria, which causes whooping cough, based on electron microscope imagery. (Meredith Newlove/CDC via Associated Press)
(Meredith Newlove/CDC via Associated Press)
SALT LAKE CITY — Whooping cough cases are at record highs across the nation, but cases are actually low in Utah. Still, health officials remain vigilant in their fight against the contagious disease.
Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is particularly dangerous for the young and the elderly. The good news is that Utah’s numbers are lower than they were around this time in 2023. They are also lower compared to surrounding states.
Danielle Timothy, an epidemiologist with the Utah Health Department, said this could be due to the state’s high vaccination rates.
“We do watch for people coming into hospitals or clinics with similar symptoms. And so far we are not seeing that either with individuals going into hospitals and clinics,” she said. “We’re somewhere in the early to mid-90s with individuals who are up to date on the pertussis vaccine.”
Timothy said if one person gets infected, the entire household will get sick if they are not treated before they get symptoms. That’s why she encourages people to get tested and treated if they do feel sick.
“If someone were to have pertussis in a household, it’s likely that the entire household will also have pertussis. So when someone is diagnosed with pertussis, we want the entire household, no matter their vaccination status, to be treated.”
Timothy said those who test positive for whooping cough should be on antibiotics for five days before coming out of quarantine.
