GREEN BAY, WI – (WGBW & WISS) – Violent coughing combined with upper respiratory symptoms is spreading throughout Brown County. Brown County Public Health department reports several cases of pertussis, also known as whooping cough, in the county.

“If you do have three or more cases, it is considered an outbreak. I don’t have an exact number. But we are seeing cases now in Brown County where they don’t seem to be directly related to each other,” said Katrina Nordyke, public health research coordinator with Brown County. 

Pertussis is highly contagious and spread through saliva from person to person, according to Nordyke.

“So droplets that can spread via the air, up to three feet, even when a person is coughing, sneezing, speaking, eating from the same utensils and so on,” said Nordyke.

Symptoms of Pertussis

Pertussis starts with symptoms that are similar to a cold; sneezing, coughing, and a low-grade fever. Then it progresses to a violent, uncontrollable cough. It can be quite dangerous for babies under one as well as people with compromised immune symptoms.

A person who has whooping cough is infectious for 21 days from the onset of the symptoms. But Nordyke says the good news is antibiotics will help reduce that infectious period to about 5 days. 

Vaccinations for children, teenagers, pregnant women, and adults are available. Besides vaccinations, Nordyke recommends keeping babies and people who are at high risk around from anyone who may be showing symptoms. 

“If you are showing symptoms, stay home, wear a mask, and hand hygiene is always important,” said Nordyke. “Wash your hands. Keep surfaces clean. Try to stay away from others if you’re sick, and wear a mask to help prevent those droplets from spreading if you cough or sneeze.”  

If you are showing symptoms of pertussis, experts recommend you contact your health provider for a test and treatment

The press release from Brown County Public Health is below.

Press Release 

PERTUSSIS IMPACTING BROWN COUNTY

Protect Yourself from Pertussis Circulating in Our Community

BROWN COUNTY, Wis. — Brown County Public Health would like to make the public aware that there are cases of pertussis (whooping cough) circulating in our community.

Pertussis is caused by a bacteria and easily spreads from person to person through contact with droplets of saliva expelled by an infected person when they talk, cough, or sneeze, etc. Initially symptoms may be similar to the common cold: runny nose, sneezing, low-grade fever, and mild occasional cough. Individuals can further develop uncontrollable, violent coughing that makes it hard to breathe. After coughing, someone with pertussis may need to take deep breaths causing a “whooping” sound. Infected people can spread pertussis up to three weeks after the cough begins if they are not treated with the appropriate antibiotics.

Pertussis can affect people of all ages. However, it can be very serious, even deadly, for babies less than 1 year old. Many babies who get pertussis are infected by older siblings, parents, or caregivers who might not even know they have the disease.

Please see your primary care provider for testing and treatment if you are experiencing symptoms or have been around someone you suspect may have pertussis. Due to there also being other respiratory illnesses going around, as well as people experiencing allergy symptoms due to high pollen, testing is the only way to know for sure if you or a loved one has pertussis.

Links and additional information

If you have concerns or think you may have been exposed, contact your primary care provider immediately to discuss next steps. If you do not have a primary care provider, you can reach out to N.E.W. Community Clinic for services and assistance: 920-437-7206 and https://www.newcc.health/.

To check if you and your loved ones are up to date on your vaccinations that protect against pertussis, please contact your provider or check the Wisconsin Immunization Registry: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/immunization/wir.htm

Resources and information:

https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/publications/p0/p00688.pdf

https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/immunization/pertussis.htm

https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/pertussis/index.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fpertussis%2Fvaccines.html