Three cases of whooping cough diagnosed in Kingman County

Kingman County reported three cases of whooping cough after a 10-year break from any reported cases, county officials said.

The latest case was diagnosed June 3 and was an unvaccinated 91-year old, according to a Kingman County Health Department release. The other two cases were an 11-year old diagnosed on May 21 and a teenager on March 27, according to the release. The county reports all three cases were unrelated. They were the county’s first reported cases since 2004.

“We’re working with the people who have gotten sick to identify close contacts and make sure they’re dealt with appropriately,” said Mary Schwartz, the public information officer and registered nurse for the Kingman County Health Department.

This year, 280 whooping cough cases have been reported in Kansas, with 35 in Sedgwick County.

“People might think it’s an old-fashion thing that people don’t get anymore, but that’s not the case,” said Chris Steward, epidemiologist for the Sedgwick County Health Department.

Steward said most of the Sedgwick County cases have been elementary-aged children.

The health departments for Kingman and Sedgwick counties list vaccination as the best form of prevention for whooping cough, formally known as pertussis.

The disease is spread through the air from coughing and sneezing. Kansas Department of Health and Environment officials said residents should keep up with vaccinations to prevent whooping cough.

Infants younger than 12 months are most at risk for death from whooping cough, but people who have long-term health problems, problems fighting infection or who are pregnant are also at risk to become seriously ill.

Symptoms for the disease start with mild, cold-like symptoms but progress to hard, rapid coughing spells after one to two weeks. These coughing fits can lead to broken ribs, collapsed lungs, pneumonia, brain swelling, seizures and death.

Schwarts, from Kingman County, said “we want people to act quickly,” so those with symptoms should seek medical attention right away.

This story was originally published June 9, 2015 at 6:06 PM with the headline "Three cases of whooping cough diagnosed in Kingman County."