WASHINGTON, USA — On Thursday, Clark County Public Health confirmed that there is currently a significant increase in whooping cough cases this year. A high school in Clark County has also alerted parents and community members of a possible exposure to whooping cough amid the rise in cases.
In a letter sent out to parents and community members at Columbia River High School, the school briefly touched on the exposure, symptoms, and recommendations to reduce any further transmission of whooping cough, also known as pertussis.
This comes as Clark County Public Health says they've identified exposures at several schools, and that the county is up to 342 cases so far this year. In 2023, Clark County had just 14 cases, but since June 2024, they've identified 50-70 new cases per month.
Statewide, the number of cases is at 900; last year the total number of cases was 41.
Nationwide, whooping cough is at its highest level in a decade, U.S. officials said, and this year, whooping cough cases have been increasing statewide in Oregon, according to the Oregon Health Authority. This comes as vaccine exemptions are at an all-time high, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The county said that of the cases identified through September, 64% had never received a pertussis vaccine.
"With students back in school, we are concerned that whooping cough is going to continue to spread, and the numbers will continue to rise," Clark County Public Health said in a statement to KGW.
Vancouver Public Schools said it most recently had a confirmed case of a student or staff member with pertussis at Columbia River High School that created a possible exposure risk to other on campus. A letter was shared with families on Thursday to notify them and create awareness.
Previously this school year, the same letter was sent to families of Eisenhower, Minnehaha, Chinook, and Walnut Grove elementary schools because of possible exposure to the bacterial virus.
Evergreen Public Schools reports three schools that have had recent confirmed cases of whooping cough. It also sends notification letters, and on Friday sent information on whooping cough to all district families to create more awareness about combatting the illness.
The county said they're most concerned about children younger than 1 year old being exposed to whooping cough and that they are at "the greatest risk" for serious complications.
"About one in three infants who get whooping cough are hospitalized. Through September, about 12% of the Clark County cases were among infants," the agency said.
As a means to combat and prevent the spread of whooping cough, the county highly suggests getting vaccinated, particularly asking parents and caregivers to ensure their kids are up to date on their whooping cough vaccinations. Getting vaccinated not only provides protections but ensures younger children who aren’t yet old enough to receive the full vaccination series and are less protected against illness have a lower chance of contracting whooping cough, Clark County Public Health said.
"We have a large susceptible population and this is a very contagious disease — it's airborne, it's a respiratory disease and it's very contagious," said Dr. Alan Melnick, Clark County Public Health director.
The county also encourages pregnant women to get vaccinated during the 27th to 36th week of every pregnancy, as this provides protection from whooping cough in the first few months of life.
Pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory infection that can cause coughing fits, making it difficult to breath. It most commonly affects babies and young children, and babies see the most severe symptoms. It generally starts with cold-like symptoms that can last for two weeks before escalating.
Dr. Melnick said that's why it is so important to be vaccinated, to protect yourself and others. "The only way to have a reasonable degree of certainty that your cold or those symptoms are less likely to be pertussis is to be fully vaccinated," he said.
Anyone looking for more details on whooping cough can learn more here.