MADISON (WKOW) - Just like any parent, Amanda Kita-Yarbro is concerned about her child getting a cough.
"You just worry about it so much," she said.
But not just any cough - Pertussis, also known as whooping cough.
"And it can be deadly in infants," said Kita-Yarbro.
The epidemiologist for Public Health says cases in Madison and Dane County have been unusually high, with 22 cases reported in December, and 20 in January. It's ten times the normal amount.
"We have maybe had one or two older than 14 but we've really seen it in children," she said.
And that's what's so concerning. Public Health officials are reminding parents to get their infants vaccinated. They should be getting five shots before the age of six. And, if you're someone who is around children everyday, they say, you should also get the dTaP vaccine. Pregnant women as well.
"This is a new recommendation that a pregnant woman can get vaccinated in her second or third trimester," said Kita-Yarbro.
She says the most important thing people can do right now is look out for symptoms. It's starts with cold symptoms, then a cough kicks in that doesn't quit.
"Some people cough 'til they break ribs," said Kita-Yarbro. "Some people cough until they can't breath anymore. Some will cough until vomiting. Some children will have the whoop."
"The most serious aspect is infants and making sure that infants don't get sick because again, it can be deadly for infants," she said.
Of the 42 cases confirmed in the last two months in Dane County, Public Health officials say no infants have died but it can happen, and that's why its so important we keep the disease from spreading.
If you think someone in your household could be infected, pubic health officials say it's important they get to a doctor.
If you have questions, you can contact an intake nurse at Public Health at 608-266-4821
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MADISON (WKOW) – Local health officials say the number of pertussis cases, or whooping cough, remain high in Dane County.
According to Public Health Madison & Dane County, there were 22 reported cases of pertussis in Dane County in December and 20 reported cases in January. Health officials say usually, the area would only have two or three cases per month. Most of the new cases deal with children age 14 and under.
Public Health Madison & Dane County says the high numbers of pertussis should be taken seriously because it is a communicable disease that can be life-threatening, especially among infants. But there are some things the public can do to prevent whooping cough. First of all, because infants who are 6-weeks-old or younger can't be vaccinated, people who come in contact with the baby should have been vaccinated.
Pregnant women are also now encouraged to get vaccinated (Tdap vaccine). Public Health Madison & Dane County says pregnant women who receive the vaccine may be able to protect their newborn by transferred immunity. However, health officials say infants are not fully protected until they get three vaccine doses and are 6-12 months old.
"This is an extremely frustrating situation for us in Public Health because as of 2010, 21 percent of all children turning 2 years old were not fully vaccinated against this life-threatening and largely preventable disease" according to Cheryl Robinson, Public Health Nurse Supervisor for Public Health Madison & Dane County. "It might be hard for parents to find time for all the immunizations children need, but it's really important that they get this done."
We'll have more details on the reported pertussis cases in Dane County on 27 News at 5, 6 and 10.
