The Kentucky Department for Public Health (KDPH) reports an increase in pertussis, also known as “whooping cough,” in the Commonwealth. The majority of identified cases have occurred in school-aged children, many of whom were up-to-date on pertussis vaccination. Additional cases have been identified in infants/toddlers and adults. Immunity from vaccination or natural infection wanes over time so infections can occur in people who are fully vaccinated. However, the vaccine is known to reduce disease severity, and hospitalization among vaccinated individuals is rare.
This alert encourages providers who see patients with persistent or violent coughs to consider pertussis in the differential and report any confirmed cases to public health. Please see the Kentucky Health Alert document for more details on the situation, testing, and reporting.
