Whooping Cough Hits Hills East

A case of Pertussis, better known as Whooping Cough, was identified at Half Hollow Hills by the Suffolk County Department of Health, the district announced Wednesday night over its website.

Pertussis is a contagious disease that is spread through the air by cough. The illness begins with the symptoms of a cold, and then enters a stage of severe coughing episodes, followed by a sudden intake of breath leading to the “whooping” sound. The most common symptom of this illness, a long series of coughs, worsens over a one to two week period, especially at night; and it is not uncommon for the cough to last for weeks or months after an individual is no longer contagious. 

The number of cases is on the rise this year, with 217 confirmed incidents in the county including an outbreak in June when  Since then, it has spread to more than a dozen districts throughout the county, including

County health officials attribute the rise to public awareness on the part of doctors and parents, who may be requesting tests now for cases that might have gone undiagnosed in the past.

The district said that immunization is required for school attendance, so most children and staff are protected. Those immunized can still be infected and transmit pertussis, however the disease is likely to be less severe. Individuals who have not been immunized against Pertussis, those who are immuno-compromised, and families with infants should be particularly alert, the county warns.

Immunization is about 80 percent effective in treating the highly contagious bacterial infection and can lessen the symptoms in people who do become sick.  

The district asks that if any child exhibiting any of the symptoms, to contact a physician and notify the school’s health office immediately.

Pertussis has been on the rise in the United States since the 1980s. In 2010, there were 27,550 cases reported nationwide, up from 16,858 cases in 2009.

For more information on Pertussis from the Immunization Action Coalition, click here.