LOCAL HEALTH ADVISORY
NOVEMBER 13, 2003

Evidence of Increasing Pertussis Cases

Once again, I must make you all aware that we have reason to suspicion that there is more Pertussis (whooping cough) present in the area than is diagnosed. There have been two more cases (Not in the Amish community) diagnosed in Macon County. This is a husband and wife. The wife was sick since end of September with a severe cough. The husband only had cold like symptoms with a mild cough. No one would have even suspicioned that this man had Pertussis. Since the female works in Adair County and travels to 3 other > counties, we would like you to alert your physiciansand hospitals that we have evidence of recent infection of Pertussis and to be suspicious of anyone with a non-resolving cold with cough. Please encourage them to have these patients swabbed (nasopharyngeal)and tested for Bordetella Pertussis and Para Pertussis.

One swab must be placed in Regen Lowe media and the other from the other side of the nasopharyngeal in sterile saline. The specimen and the media must be kept cool. Kits are available from Missouri State Public Health Lab with these components and the requisition. Please remember that it is believed that the Pertussis vaccination starts to wane in creating immunity and it is speculated that it may only last up to 10 years after the last dose. That is why it is potentially possible to see Pertussis in kids 15 and older, besides adults. Let me know if you have any diagnosed cases. We are tracking the cases and are trying to get prophylaxis started on close contacts of any diagnosed cases.

Thank You for your continued persistence in helping detect these vaccine preventable diseases.

Gail McCurdy
Gail McCurdy RN BSN
Epidemiology Specialist
Troop B

Go Back to where you were.