HEALTH & SCIENCE

New approaches considered to combat rise in pertussis

Vaccinating infants at younger ages and immunizing those in contact with them are among the possibilities being studied.

By Susan J. Landers, AMNews staff. June 21, 2004.

Washington -- In recent years, the number of U.S. cases of pertussis has increased.

This troubling trend appears to be continuing, with several states reporting outbreaks that some public health officials expect will last through the summer. Cases have been reported in Illinois, Nebraska, New York and Wisconsin, and pertussis is suspected in the death of a Montana infant.

So far this year there have been about 1½ times the number of cases in Milwaukee as there were last year at this time, said Bevan K. Baker, the city's acting health commissioner. Milwaukee County has 57 confirmed cases, and the city has another 37. "We are probably approaching the 200 mark in terms of regional and state cases."

The health department is tracking 3,000 contacts to prevent further spread, a daunting task but one for which the agency has prepared.

"We didn't just turn on the light on this. This is what we do day in and day out," said Baker.

Meanwhile, he is preparing for a long siege. "We may be just on the upload of the curve, and have to ride the crest of the wave through the summer," he said.

The increase in pertussis cases poses the greatest peril to infants younger than 6 months, said Kathryn Edwards, MD, professor of pediatrics at Vanderbilt University in Nashville. The severe coughing that accompanies the illness can lead to the inability to eat, and infants with pertussis are much more susceptible to pneumonia and sleep apnea, she said.

[...]

Full text of AMNews content is available to AMA members and paid subscribers.

Access details

Join the AMA