The Lexington-Fayette County Health Department has officially declared pertussis, also known as whooping cough, as an outbreak in the Lexington area. Since late April, nine cases have been confirmed, with three new cases reported on Monday. The latest cases involve an additional student at Lafayette High School, a young student at St. Peter and Paul Catholic School, and a community case involving an 80-year-old patient.
Whooping cough is a highly contagious respiratory illness that spreads through coughing and sneezing. It can affect people of all ages but is particularly serious in infants and those with chronic diseases. The health department is urging parents to ensure their children are up-to-date with their vaccines or fully vaccinated with the booster to prevent the spread of the disease.
"The Lexington-Fayette County Health Department has declared pertussis, or whooping cough, in outbreak status after nine total cases have been confirmed since late April, including three more cases on Monday," said department spokesperson Kevin Hall.
Prior to the recent cases, Fayette County had reported six cases of whooping cough since late April, all involving school-aged children. The affected schools include Lafayette, Henry Clay, Bryan Station, and Lexington Catholic high schools.
The early symptoms of whooping cough resemble those of a common cold, including a runny nose, sneezing, low-grade fever, and coughing. However, after one to two weeks, the cough often worsens, changing from a dry, hacking cough to bursts of uncontrollable and sometimes violent coughing. During these coughing episodes, it may be temporarily impossible to take a breath due to the intensity and repetition of the coughs. When the person is finally able to breathe, they might take a sudden gasp of air, which can cause a distinctive "whooping" sound. Vomiting and exhaustion often follow these coughing spells.
If a child exhibits these symptoms, parents are advised to take them to a doctor and request a pertussis test.
The vaccine against pertussis is routine and required for school-age children. One dose of the booster vaccine, called Tdap, is recommended for ages 11 and above for protection. Teenagers and adults who have never received the Tdap vaccine should consult their doctor or call the health department at 859-288-2483 Monday-Thursday to check availability. Although the vaccine is effective, immunity decreases over time, making the booster important for older children and adults.
The health department recommends preventive antibiotics for high-risk students who have been exposed to pertussis. This includes students with chronic illnesses or weakened immune systems and those who live in households with family members who have a chronic illness or weakened immune system, an infant, or a pregnant woman.
Any school-age children displaying symptoms of whooping cough should stay home from school and visit a doctor for evaluation, even if they have been vaccinated.
In light of the outbreak, the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department is advising all central Kentucky caregivers to be vigilant for signs and symptoms of pertussis while ensuring their children are up-to-date with their vaccinations or fully vaccinated with the booster. The health department is working closely with local schools and healthcare providers to monitor the situation and prevent further spread of the disease.
