Whooping Cough Still Surging Across Dane County

MADISON, Wis. (WMDX) – Whooping cough cases continue to rise in Dane County. 

Public Health Madison Dane County staff said 142 people have gotten pertussis this year. At the end of July, that number was 66.

There’s a similar trend at the statewide level right now. Wisconsin likely has about 1,000 cases. 

Staff said in previous years, Dane County could go months without a single reported case of whooping cough. 

PHMDC said part of its continued spread is because at first, pertussis looks like your average cold. Over time, a distinctive “whoop” cough may develop, but it doesn’t happen that way for everyone. 

They said many of the people sick are middle and high school age kids. 

If you’ve been exposed to someone with whooping cough, doctors may be able to prescribe an antibiotic to help protect you. 

Staff said the vaccine is working. People who are up to date on their shots are less likely to be seriously sick, and less likely to be hospitalized. 

For more information on vaccines, click here. Public Health Madison Dane County offers free vaccination for people without insurance and kids on BadgerCare.