Whooping cough cases increase

COEUR d'ALENE - Four months left in 2014 and already the number of whooping cough cases reported in Idaho is double what was reported this time last year.

With the first day of school just weeks away - and spreading of the disease likely to increase - Idaho's Department of Health and Welfare is urging all pregnant women and parents of small children to get vaccinated against pertussis.

Pertussis cases in Idaho are at a record high with 241 cases diagnosed so far this year - 25 of those in Idaho's five northern counties, according to Health and Welfare. In 2013, a total of 237 cases were reported statewide.

Of the reported cases in 2013, 24 were in North Idaho.

Whooping cough is most common in children ages 5 to 17, but babies are especially susceptible to pertussis. An Idaho infant died this year after contracting the disease, according to a press release from Health and Welfare.

"The best way to protect children and infants from pertussis is to get vaccinated so you are protected, and then you drastically reduce the risk of passing it on to extremely vulnerable infants," said Mitch Scoggins, program manager for the Idaho Immunization Program, in the release. "Pregnant women and those who come in contact with young children, including their siblings and other family members, should get vaccinated."

Health and Welfare reports that 1 of every 20 infants with whooping cough develops pneumonia, which can be deadly. According to the press release, "many infants who get pertussis are infected by coughing siblings, parents or other caregivers who might not know they have the disease."

The vaccine - DTaP for infants and children and Tdap for others - is available through doctors, public health districts and pharmacies.

Infants should receive their first dose of the vaccine when they are 2 months old and again at ages 4 months, 6 months and between the ages of 15-18 months, according to Health and Welfare.

The fifth and final dose should be done at 4 to 6 years of age, before starting school.

Health and Welfare recommends children receive a booster dose at age 11 or 12.