Whooping cough may have spread to Western Washington University’s campus, as officials warned students and staff of a few potential cases under investigation.
Western emailed staff and students, encouraging them to stay home, limit interactions with others, wear a mask and seek medical advice if they have symptoms similar to whooping cough, also known as pertussis. Western said in the email that staff are working with health officials to monitor the situation on campus.
Eleven cases of whooping cough have been confirmed in October in Whatcom County, Health and Community Services Communications Specialist Marie Duckworth said Monday, with several unconfirmed cases from the weekend under investigation. She confirmed the health department is investigating some cases at Western, but that they’re not numerous enough to be considered an outbreak.
“It is also not unusual for a university the size of WWU to see a few pertussis cases during the academic year because of the large volume of students that come together in a university setting,” she said.
Whooping cough is a highly contagious respiratory illness. It often appears like a common cold at the beginning of the illness, according to the CDC, but later symptoms can include “rapid, violent, and uncontrolled coughing fits.” The illness is dangerous for young children, pregnant individuals and immunocompromised people, said health officials.
Nationally, whooping cough cases are at a decade high for this time of the year, the Associated Press reported, adding that the increase in cases is in line with historic peaks of whooping cough every three to five years. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said more than 18,000 cases of whooping cough have been confirmed this year as of mid-October.
People can protect themselves from whooping cough by staying up to date with DTaP and Tdap vaccines. DTaP and Tdap vaccines are available for children and adults, according to WCHCS. Children between the ages of 2 months and 6 years should receive DTaP vaccines in multiple doses. Teens and adults who’ve not been vaccinated should receive the Tdap vaccine.
Free vaccines are available for children under 18 in Whatcom County, though an office visit or administration fee may apply.
Charlotte Alden is CDN’s general assignment/enterprise reporter; reach her at charlottealden@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 123.
