79 Whooping Cough Cases Confirmed in County

The number of confirmed whooping cough cases in the county have more than doubled over the past week. 

There are 79 confirmed cases of whooping cough in 12 communities — a significant jump from last week when the McHenry County Department of Health reported 38 cases. 

The outbreak also has spread to the general public. Before this week, the cases had been confirmed only among students at area schools.  

The age range of those affected include infants as young as 3 months old to adults as old as 35, according to Thursday's press release from the McHenry County Health Department. 

Here is the breakdown on the number of cases in the communities affected: 

• Algonquin: 1 
• Cary: 35 
• Crystal Lake: 9
• Fox River Grove: 5 
• Harvard: 1
• Hebron: 1 
• Huntley/Lake in the Hills: 5
• Island Lake: 1 
• Johnsburg: 1
• McHenry: 5
• Woodstock: 15

The last significant outbreak of whooping cough in the county occurred in 2004 with 191 cases. Last year, there were nine cases in the county and in 2009, there were 51 cases. 

Those at the highest risk of contracting whooping cough are infants and young children from birth to 5 years old who are not fully vaccinated, children who did not receive a booster shot, those who are immune compromised and older adults, according to the news release.

Immunization Clinic Scheduled for Next Week

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a pertussis booster for everyone ages 11 to 64 years old and those over 65 years old who take care of young children.  

"It is important for those under 11 years to be up to date on childhood vaccinations," according to the McHenry County Health Department press release. 

The McHenry County Health Department will provide the DTaP vaccine at a walk-in vaccination clinic at its Crystal Lake office, 100 N. Virginia Road, from 2:30 to 7 p.m. Nov. 16. The vaccine will be for those 11 years and older who have not received the vaccine in the past 10 years. 

The cost is $50. Medicaid is accepted for individuals ages 11 to 18 who must present a Medicaid card.

The vaccine is $15 for those ages 11 to 18 who are uninsured or underinsured, and for uninsured adults ages 19 and older who meet income requirements. In addition, children ages 11 to 18 must be accompanied by a parents and bring a current vaccination record.

Tips for Preventing Spread of Whooping Cough

The McHenry County Health Department offers the following tips to prevent the further spread of whooping cough: 

• Wash hands frequently.
• Practice respiratory hygiene by covering your mouth, coughing into tissues and disposing of tissues properly.
• Stay home if sick.
• Students receiving antibiotics need to stay at home for five days to complete the treatment. Returning to school earlier could cause the spread of whooping cough. 

What is Whooping Cough? 

The McHenry County Department of Health provides the following information on pertussis:

Pertussis is a contagious bacterial infection that causes a range of illnesses, from mild cough to severe disease. 

It is spread easily from person to person through coughing and sneezing. Symptoms of pertussis may appear five to 10 days after exposure but can take as long as 21 days to appear. 

The first symptoms are similar to those of a common cold — runny nose, sneezing, low-grade fever and a mild, occasional nonproductive cough. 

The cough gradually becomes severe and, after one to two weeks, an individual will have bursts of numerous, rapid coughs with a distinctive “whooping” sound. While it can be mild in some persons, it poses a greater risk for infants who are not fully immunized (until 4 to 6 years old), immune-compromised individuals, and older persons.

If you share a household with these persons, consider getting the vaccination. 

If you or your child has symptoms or questions on whether the vaccine is needed, contact your physician.

Persons with pertussis should be excluded from school, work or other group settings until they receive appropriate evaluation and treatment.