Pertussis (whooping cough)

Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory disease. It is caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. It is spread through the air in droplets produced during coughing or sneezing.

Pertussis is known for uncontrollable, violent coughing which often makes it hard to breathe. After fits of many coughs, someone with pertussis often needs to take deep breaths which result in a "whooping" sound. Pertussis can affect people of all ages, but it can be very serious, even deadly, for babies less than a year old.

The best way to protect against pertussis is by getting vaccinated. Are you up-to-date? Act now to get vaccinated!

• Pertussis Fact Sheet for Clinicians
  

Alaska Surveillance Data

• Quarterly VPD Surveillance Report

Alaska Surveillance Data (last updated 10/21/2024)

 Alaska Surveillance Data (last updated 10/21/2024)

CDC reports pertussis cases were lower than usual over the past few years, during and following the COVID-19 pandemic.  However, the United States is beginning to return to pre-pandemic patterns.  Pertussis is cyclic in nature, with peaks in disease every 3 to 5 years.   As typical infection patterns return to the United States, CDC expects pertussis cases to increase both in unvaccinated and vaccinated populations. Pertussis occurs in vaccinated people since protection from vaccination fades over time.

Vaccine Recommendations

• All children and adults should be up to date on recommended pertussis vaccines. See CDC’s recommended vaccine schedule.
• Prioritize vaccinating people who come into direct contact with infants under 1 year old.
• Pregnant people at 27–36 weeks gestation (third trimester) should receive 1 dose of Tdap vaccine (during each pregnancy).

Resources for the General Public

• About Pertussis from the CDC. This website site offers extensive, updated information on pertussis for everyone, from kids to health care providers. Check it out now!
• Pertussis Vaccination: Who Needs It?
• Pertussis Fact Sheet from the Alaska Division of Public Health
• Pertussis FAQs from the Alaska Division of Public Health
• Information for patients with pertussis from the Alaska Division of Public Health
• Pertussis Flyer from the Alaska Division of Public Health
  

Resources for Healthcare Providers

• Pertussis Disease Information for Clinicians from the CDC. Website has disease specifics, treatment, clinical features, clinical complications, diagnostic testing, prevention, and provider education information.
• Testing: Collect a nasopharyngeal swab for pertussis PCR (recommended method)
  
• See CDC’s best practices for using PCR to diagnose pertussis.
• Treat: following CDC’s treatment guidance.
• Instruct: people with suspected pertussis to stay home from work, school, or childcare. Advise them that they are considered contagious until they complete 5 full days of prescribed antibiotics.
• Consider: Preventive antibiotics for the entire household if a member meets any high-risk criteria. PEP Use 
• ASPHL-Anchorage Lab Request Form
• Alaska State Public Health Laboratory Test Directory with Pertussis PCR: Detailed Collection Instructions (page 69)
• Browse the Epidemiology Bulletin Archive for bulletins associated with Pertussis
• State of Alaska Immunization Program

Pertussis is a public health reportable condition in Alaska. Reports must be made within 2 working days after being suspected or diagnosed. Please call the Alaska Section of Epidemiology at 907-269-8000.

Public Health Alerts

• Alaska Public Health Alert Network (PHAN): AKPHAN: Increase in Pertussis Activity in Alaska (August 5, 2024)

Infectious Disease Program Resources

• Epidemiology Procedure Manual - Pertussis Chapter
• Investigation Worksheet
• Investigation Worksheet - Contacts only

For Schools Child Care, and Camp Programs

• Pertussis in Schools FAQs
• Pertussis in Child Care Settings FAQs
• Exclusion Recommendations

Interim Guidance: Fall 2024

•   Interim Alaska pertussis recommendations -Updated 9/24/2024