Whooping cough confirmed in Winnebago County.

OSHKOSH, WI – (WGBW & WISS) – As of October 1, 2024, Winnebago County has seen 22 cases of pertussis, or “Whooping Cough.” Jaci Grignon, the Communicable Disease Supervisor for Winnebago County Public Health said pertussis is highly contagious, especially in households with an exposure.

“It is highly communicable. They call it an attack rate – In the household or family members up to 80 percent,” said Grignon. “So, when someone has pertussis they want everybody in the household to be treated. That’s called a prophylactic exposure treatment.”

It is also contagious for a long time. Infected people can spread pertussis up to three weeks after developing the cough. Whooping Cough spreads from person to person through saliva. Talking, sneezing, and coughing can all spread the bacteria that causes pertussis.

Initial symptoms of whooping cough are similar to those of a common cold. It starts with a runny nose, sneezing, low-grade fever, and mild occasional cough.  Symptoms progress to an uncontrollable, violent cough that makes it hard to breathe, leading to the need to take a deep breath or make a “whooping” sound. 

Grignon said pertussis can be very dangerous for infants, pregnant women, and those who are immunocompromised.

Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself from pertussis. 

“Vaccination is such a good method to if not prevent then at least to lessen the severity of the disease and to slow down transmission,” Grignon said. 

The pertussis vaccine is one that people must get updated periodically, like tetanus.

Grignon said if you feel you have pertussis check in with your health care provider. It’s important to let them know that you think it may be whooping cough.