14 Pertussis

77 cases

0 deaths

5.2 % of cases were hospitalized

6.2 cases per 100,000 population

14.1 Epidemiologic Review

14.1.1 Disease Information

Overview: Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a respiratory illness caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis.

Symptoms: Symptoms typically include cough, whoop (whooping gasp for air after a coughing fit), runny nose, fever, apnea (pause in breathing), paroxysms (coughing fits), and post-tussive vomiting (vomiting following coughing fits).

Transmission: Pertussis is transmitted from person-to-person by coughing, sneezing or being in close contact with an infected person.

Treatment: Antibiotics are the preferred form of treatment.

Prevention Vaccination is the best measure to prevent disease. Ensuring vaccines are up to date provides that greatest amount of protection. Additionally, taking antibiotics after exposure to or living with a person with pertussis.

14.1.2 Demographics

Racial and Ethnicity demographic data are not presented due to low counts.

14.1.3 Outbreaks

No outbreaks were identified in 2023.

14.1.4 Monthly and Historical Comparisons

Data for Utah and the CDC were retrieved from the CDC’s Notifiable Infectious Disease Data Tables.

14.2 Key Things to Know

70% of cases reported being treated for pertussis.

Risk factors for infection among cases were immunocompromised status and not being up to date on vaccination.

26% of cases had never received a dose of vaccine, 35% of cases had received at least one dose vaccine, and 47% of cases were considered up to date

Commonly reported symptoms among cases include paroxysms of cough, post-tussive vomiting, and apnea.