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To the press, we are excited to announce the launch of our newly designed
website with all the information and assistance to the public that we are
known to give. Our commitment to our community will continue as we desire
to see the members of our great community grow healthier and live happier.
PRESS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NOVEMBER 12, 2010
For more information contact Carol Paluck, Public Health Director
or
Marcia Ashline, RN Supervisor at 376-5453
Pertussis (Aka Whooping Cough) Identified in Lewis County
Lewis County Public Health has identified 11 cases of pertussis, also
known as whooping cough, in our county. Several other adults and children
may have been exposed to the disease. The Lewis County Public Health
Agency nurses have been working with local physicians to reach all
individuals who may have been exposed so they may receive the medication
which can prevent the development of the disease or make the symptoms less
severe.
Many people may think whooping cough or pertussis is not around anymore
because of immunizations. This is not true. The disease is in our
environment and those individuals who have not been immunized are
susceptible. Protection from pertussis vaccine decreases over time with
little or no protection 5-10 years following the last dose. Fortunately
the disease in older children is somewhat less severe than it is in very
young children and in infants. Whooping cough or pertussis starts with
several days of cold symptoms - running nose and eyes, slight or no fever,
and mild cough. The disease then progresses to severe coughing spasms
often followed by the characteristic whoop followed by vomiting. Most
people with pertussis have the severe coughing for at least three weeks
and it may last more than ten weeks. Many infants and other people with
severe disease may need hospitalization for supportive care to manage the
coughing spasms, and associated breathing problems, feeding problems,
pneumonia and other complications. Antimicrobial medications do not cure
the disease but are effective in preventing the spread. Pertussis is
highly contagious.
The best way to prevent pertussis is to get vaccinated. Since the
introduction of pertussis vaccines, pertussis disease in the United States
has been reduced by greater than 80% compared with the prevaccine era.
Children ages 2 months to 6 years should receive all age appropriate doses
of DTaP vaccine which includes a booster dose between the ages of 4-6
years, prior to school attendance. Additionally, a pertussis booster is
now available for children and adults age 10 and up. Immunization clinics
are held every Tuesday morning at the department from 9 am to 10:30 am and
the first and third Wednesday of every month from 3 pm to 5 pm. Residents
may call Lewis County Public Health with questions about the disease,
vaccination or about immunization clinics at 376-5453.
To view
past Press Releases, you may select them by date here:
November 12, 2010 :
Pertussis (Aka Whooping Cough) Identified in Lewis County
August 30, 2010 :
Fall Prevention Awareness Day
March 16, 2010 : HomeCare Elite
December 14, 2009 : Offering H1N1 and Seasonal Flu Vaccine Clinic
November 24, 2009 : Update Regarding H1N1 Vaccination Clinics in Lewis
County
November 2, 2009 : Update Regarding H1N1 in Lewis County
April 27, 2009 :
Frequently Asked Questions on The Swine Flu
January 11, 2009
: Rabid Raccoon Exposure in Town of Martinsburg
December 5, 2008
: Rabid Skunk Exposure in Town of Leyden
June 26, 2008 :
Rabid Raccoon Exposure in Town of Leyden
June 24, 2008 :
Rabid Bat Exposure in Town of Croghan
EVENTS
To view our article archive, click here.
To view our calendar of clinics and like-events,
click here.
To view links to related websites, click here.
