Winnebago County reports 21 confirmed cases of pertussis

OSHKOSH, Wis. (WBAY) - As of Monday, Winnebago County Public Health reports there are 21 confirmed cases of pertussis, compared to only 1 case in 2023.

Pertussis, more commonly known as whooping cough, has been increasing in Wisconsin and in the U.S. in the past few months, Winnebago County Public Health said in a statement Monday.

Bacteria causes pertussis and easily spreads from person to person. You can get pertussis by coming into contact with an infected person’s saliva. For example, when they talk, cough, or sneeze.

Winnebago County Public Health recommends residents know the symptoms of pertussis and contact their medical provider if they have symptoms or suspect they’ve been exposed to someone with pertussis. Starting treatment early is very important. People are asked to see a healthcare provider about testing and treatment.

Infected people can spread pertussis up to three weeks after the cough begins if they are not treated with the appropriate antibiotics. If pertussis is treated early with antibiotics, it can make the infection less serious in addition to reducing the risk of spreading the infection.

Initial symptoms to watch for may be similar to the common cold and can last for one to two weeks:

- Runny nose

- Sneezing

- Low-grade fever (between 99.5°F and 100.3°F)

- Mild occasional cough

Symptoms can progress to an uncontrollable, violent cough that makes it hard to breathe. After coughing, someone with pertussis may need to take deep breaths causing a “whooping” sound.

Babies under 1, pregnant women, and people who are immunocompromised are most at risk for this serious illness.

Winnebago County Public Health recommends getting vaccinated.

To check if you or your loved ones are up to date on your vaccinations that protect against pertussis, please contact your provider or check the Wisconsin Immunization Registry.