There have been a few confirmed cases of pertussis (“whooping cough”) in Chatham and Orange County in North Carolina. Pertussis is characterized by spasms of severe coughing (paroxysms) often followed by a “whoop” sound when the person breathes in again. The cough frequently lasts for several weeks.

Children in the United States are routinely vaccinated against pertussis with the DTaP vaccination series. Five doses of DTaP are recommended for children under the age of 7 years.  In 2008, a booster dose was required for all 6^th graders to enter school.  Supplemental vaccination for children who are up to date with their immunizations is NOT recommended during an outbreak. In most outbreaks among children in daycare or schools, coverage is usually very high due to state laws requiring immunizations to be current for attendance.

Whooping cough is caused by a bacteria that is found in the mouth, nose and throat of an infected person, and is spread through close contact when an infected person talks, sneezes, or coughs.  It is most contagious during the first 2 to 3 weeks of infection, often before the beginning of severe coughing spells.

The pertussis vaccine lasts 5-10 years.  You cannot contract the disease from the vaccine. The pertussis vaccine is the best way to prevent transmission of the disease.