LANSING, Mich. — Health officials in Michigan are urging people to stay up to date with the pertussis vaccine as cases are on the rise this year.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) said that there have already been 830 confirmed or probable cases of pertussis (whooping cough) this year.
The 830 cases through Oct. 28 is a large increase from the years between 2017 and 2019, where Michigan averaged about 596 yearly during that time period.
Symptoms of pertussis can be very similar to the common cold. The symptoms can take between five and 10 days to develop. Later symptoms can consist of uncontrolled coughing fits.
Babies and young children may sometimes not exhibit a cough but instead can have pauses in breathing causing the skin to turn bluish in color.
The infection can cause serious illness in all ages but is more likely to be severe, and possibly even deadly, for infants. Three-fourths of cases have been in people under the age of 18.
MDHHS is urging families with young children, as well as the general population, to stay up to date with immunizations.
“Vaccinations continue to be our top line of defense against the spread of pertussis,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive. “With a declining rate of immunizations, we are unfortunately seeing a rise in pertussis and other vaccine-preventable diseases statewide. We encourage all Michiganders to stay up to date with their immunization schedule.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends pertussis vaccine for infants, children, adolescents and people who are pregnant. The CDC also recommends a dose of the vaccine for adults who haven't had one as an adolescent or adult.
For more information on pertussis, visit the CDC’s website and follow the CDC for information on pertussis cases and outbreaks or Whooping Cough (Pertussis) in Michigan.
