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The
Genesee County Health Department is
alerting the public and health care
providers about an outbreak of pertussis.
Pertussis Information for Genesee County
Pertussis Outbreak Escalates Press
Release
(Issued June 10, 2010)
Pertussis Outbreak
(Issued May 19, 2010)
Pertussis Increase Continues Press
Release
(Issued
March 26, 2010)
Pertussis Alert Press
Release (Issued September
25, 2009)
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This outbreak of pertussis was first
noticed in the second half of 2009
and the number of cases has remained
high
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Cases of pertussis, also known as
whooping cough, continue to rise in
Genesee County
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Spread of the infection has been
seen in group settings in Genesee
County (households, schools, etc)
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It is likely
more cases are occurring as
pertussis is often an unrecognized
or undiagnosed prolonged cough
illness, especially among
adolescent and adult populations
because they typically experience a
milder course of illness
What
is Pertussis?
Click Here for the GCHD
Pertussis Fact
Sheet
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Pertussis is a very contagious
disease affecting the respiratory
tract
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It is
caused by a type of bacteria
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Pertussis is a vaccine preventable
disease
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Pertussis is spread
through the air by droplets from an
infected person when he or she
coughs, sneezes or talks
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Only a
health care provider can diagnose
and treat pertussis
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Symptoms begin like a cold and
include fever, runny nose and
coughing episodes that gradually
become more severe
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Coughing episodes persist and become
frequent even after cold symptoms
subside and can last 1 month or
longer
Resources
for Health Care Providers
Pertussis Alert for Providers
(Updated June 10, 2010)
Printable pertussis
pocket guide for clinician
Printable treatment
and prophylaxis table
The GCHD Alert issued to Health
Care Providers
(Issued
September 25, 2009)
Pertussis EpiNews newsletter for Health
Care Providers
(Issued Summer 2009)
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Clinicians should consider pertussis
in prolonged cough illnesses
(greater than 2 weeks)
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Michigan’s public health laws
require that health care providers
report all suspected and
confirmed cases of pertussis
to the local health department.
Please call the GCHD at (810)
257-1017 as soon as you suspect a
case
The
recommended diagnostic tests are
culture or PCR of nasopharyngeal
(NP) swab (Dacron) or aspirate*
(Serology and DFA tests are NOT
recommended)
Click
here to see how to perform a
nasopharyngeal swab
*Note:
The Genesee County Health Department
does not carry nasopharyngeal swabs
or transport media for testing
The
Michigan Department of Community
Health conducts laboratory testing
for pertussis. Clinicians may
contact the GCHD at (810) 257-1017
to coordinate testing of specimens
Health
care
providers should also ensure that
their patients are fully vaccinated.
See ACIP vaccine schedule
here
Those
diagnosed with pertussis as well as
close contacts should give treatment
or prophylaxis for pertussis,
regardless of vaccination status
For
more information see the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
here
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/pertussis/default.htm
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