EAST WENATCHEE — The Chelan-Douglas Health District has now identified 58 cases of pertussis, or whooping cough, as of March 22.
The number cases have tripled since March 11, when the last report of confirmed cases was 17. The health district first confirmed four cases of whooping cough in February that were linked to an unspecified local school.
In a press release, CDHD says they confirmed the cases through positive lab results, exposure to a lab-confirmed case or have clinical symptoms consistent with whooping cough.
Whooping cough begins with cold-like symptoms and develops into a bad cough and is spread through large respiratory water droplets. It is most likely among people that live together or people who spend time together indoors.
As spring break approaches, the health district recommends the following precautions:
• If you are sick, especially with a fever, stay home for 24 hours and seek healthcare evaluation if symptoms do not improve.
• Avoid visiting vulnerable individuals if you are experiencing any respiratory illness symptoms.
• If you are coughing, wear a mask when visiting a healthcare facility/provider to reduce the spread of infection.
• If you have had a known exposure to respiratory illnesses such as COVID, pertussis or the flu, wear a mask and monitor your symptoms.
CDHD says they will continue “to work closely with school officials, local healthcare providers and the Washington State Department of Health to respond, monitor and assist in care of affected individuals and their families.”
