WYOMING — With recently increased cases of pertussis (whooping cough) across the state, including a current outbreak in Sheridan County, the Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) is encouraging awareness of the disease.
According to the WDH, at least 10 Sheridan County whooping cough cases have been reported over the past couple of weeks, with additional recent cases in Campbell, Johnson and Lincoln counties.
“That brings us to 18 reported cases so far this year and we’re only in the year’s second month,” WDH Infectious Disease Epidemiology Clay Van Houten said in the announcement.
Van Houten noted that the bacterial infection increased in 2024 significantly, with 19 total confirmed cases. There were zero reported whooping cough cases in 2023 and two cases in 2022. Actual case numbers in any year are likely higher because many illnesses are not recognized as pertussis and others might not be reported, according to the WDH.
“Any surge in pertussis activity is something we watch with concern because it can be so tough on infants,” Van Houten said.
More than half of infants less than one year of age who become ill with pertussis must be hospitalized and, in some cases, it can be deadly. So far, there have not been any hospitalizations involving Wyoming babies due to whooping cough, the WDH said via press release.
Van Houten said in the announcement that the Tdap adolescent/adult pertussis booster vaccine is important for those who spend time with new infants such as parents, grandparents and other caregivers.
“If you are pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant, you should talk to your doctor about a Tdap vaccine, which can help protect infants,” Van Houten said. “Infants are most vulnerable and don’t yet have the protection a pertussis vaccine can offer.”
The WDH recommends that all residents stay up to date with a pertussis vaccine. The agency states that those who become ill after vaccination are less likely to have a severe infection.
Whooping cough typically begins with cold-like symptoms and sometimes a mild cough. The infection is often not suspected or diagnosed until a persistent cough with spasms sets in after one to two weeks. Infants and children can cough violently and rapidly with a loud “whooping” sound.
“Pertussis is not always recognized because it has been less common in the U.S. over the last several decades due to immunizations slowing its spread overall,” Van Houten said.
More information about pertussis can be found here.
