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The New Mexico Department of Health reported that the number of whooping cough cases in New Mexico this year is almost twice as many the number last year – reflecting the same dramatic increase in whooping cough cases nationwide.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports, as of October 19, there have already been more than five times as many whooping cough cases in the United States than there were in the same time period last year. As of October 26, New Mexico accounts for 60 of the nationwide case totals.
Most of these cases have been reported from the Albuquerque metro area, but all regions of the state have reported at least one case since this summer.
Pertussis – better known as whooping cough – is highly contagious. It spreads from respiratory droplets that can happen naturally anytime a person coughs or sneezes. A person infected can spread it to other people for 21 days after their cough starts or until they complete five days of an appropriate antibiotic.
Common symptoms of whooping cough can include coughing fits, which may be followed by a “whoop” sound as the person takes a breath after a coughing fit. Sometimes a person can cough so hard they vomit. The coughing alone from pertussis can last for several weeks, and possibly lead to complications such as broken ribs, hernias, seizures, swelling in the brain, and even death.
“Pertussis is extremely dangerous in infants, especially those under six months old,” said Dr. Chad Smelser, Deputy State Epidemiologist for NMHealth. “Young infants can sometimes show other symptoms such as gagging, eye-bulging, or apnea - where a child’s breathing pauses for a period of time long enough to worry a caregiver.”
Anyone needing testing for pertussis should contact their primary care physician or local medical provider. A diagnosis of pertussis can be confirmed with a swab from deep in the nose for PCR or culture testing. No vaccine is 100% effective, and people with pertussis symptoms who are vaccinated should still be tested.
The best way to protect against pertussis is to get vaccinated. Children and adults needing to catch up on pertussis vaccines can contact their medical provider, local pharmacy, or make an appointment at their local public health office. There are two different vaccines for pertussis. Depending on your age, this will either be the DTaP or Tdap vaccine:
- All children should get five doses of DTaP vaccine at two, four, and six months old, again at 15-18 months, and at four-six years old.
- Preteens should get a booster of Tdap at 11-12 years old.
- Any adult who has never previously had a dose of Tdap should get a dose now. (The Tdap vaccine can also be used for your ten-year tetanus and diphtheria booster.)
- People who are pregnant should get a Tdap vaccine during each pregnancy, ideally between weeks 27-36 of gestation. Getting a booster during pregnancy gives your baby protective antibodies against pertussis in their first months of life, which is the most dangerous time for them to catch it.
Vaccines are available without charge to the family or guardian of any child in New Mexico, regardless of insurance status, under the Vaccines for Children program.
To schedule whooping cough and other vaccinations statewide, talk to your pharmacist or healthcare provider. You can also call the NMHealth Helpline at 1-833-796-8773 for scheduling or questions about this and other medical issues.
Medical providers should report both suspected and confirmed cases of pertussis by calling that same number 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with additional guidance available from the New Mexico Health Alert Network.
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