Minnesota pertussis cases near 2,000 as cases nationally up big in 2024

Pertussis cases are still rising across Minnesota, affecting people of all ages with a particular impact on children, adolescents, and young adults, according to state health officials.

Through November 21, 1,969 total confirmed/probable pertussis cases have been reported in 2024 to date. In all of 2023, Minnesota reported 61 total pertussis cases.

One third of cases are reported from Hennepin County (650), followed by Wright County (169), Anola County (168) and Carver County (139).

The median age of those affected is 14 years, ranging from 1 month to 92 years. Infants are at highest risk of severe complications, including pneumonia, seizures, and in rare cases, death. Particularly if they are too young to be vaccinated.

Nationally, cases of pertussis are up 369 percent in 2024, with 25,174 cases reported, compared to 5,371 reported during the same period in 2023.

Pertussis, or whooping cough, is a disease that affects the lungs. Pertussis bacteria are spread from person to person through droplets produced during coughing or sneezing. A person with pertussis develops a severe cough that usually lasts four to six weeks or longer. Pertussis can be very serious, especially in infants.

The bacteria are found in fluids from the mouth and nose of someone with pertussis. The bacteria are spread when fluid containing the bacteria gets in your nose or mouth. This can happen when a person with pertussis coughs or sneezes on you, or by touching the fluid and then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. In general, a person is at greater risk of getting pertussis if they are within three feet of someone with pertussis for at least 10 hours a week. This is considered close contact.

The period between exposure to the bacteria and onset of illness is usually 7 to 10 days but may be as long as 21 days.

The first symptoms of pertussis are similar to a cold: sneezing, a runny nose, possibly a low-grade fever, and a cough. After one or two weeks, the cough becomes severe, such as: The cough occurs in sudden, uncontrollable bursts where one cough follows the next without a break for breath; a high-pitched whooping sound occurs when breathing in after a coughing episode. Whooping is less common in infants, adults, and people who have received pertussis vaccine; vomiting during or after a coughing spell; the person's face or lips may look blue from lack of oxygen; the cough is often worse at night; between coughing spells, the person seems well, but the illness is exhausting over time and coughing episodes gradually become less frequent, but may continue for several weeks or months until the lungs heal.

Pertussis in infants is often severe, and infants are more likely than older children or adults to develop complications. The most common complication of pertussis is bacterial pneumonia. Rare complications include seizures, inflammation of the brain, and death.

Vaccinate all children on time and make sure adolescents and adults receive Tdap. This is the best way to prevent pertussis.

There are two pertussis vaccines: DTaP and Tdap. Both vaccines are given in combination with tetanus and diphtheria. Your age determines which vaccine you should receive and how many doses you need.

Pregnant women should get Tdap during the third trimester of each pregnancy. If Tdap wasn't given during pregnancy, the new mother should get Tdap right after delivery.

Pertussis can be treated with antibiotics, but treatment may not cure the symptoms. However, antibiotics will reduce the spread of disease to others.

Antibiotics lessen the symptoms if given during the early stages of illness. When antibiotics are started later in the illness, the damage from pertussis is already done and the cough will last until the lungs heal. Pertussis bacteria die off naturally after three weeks of coughing. If antibiotics are not started within that time, they are no longer recommended.