Whooping cough is rising in county

A whooping cough outbreak has recently emerged in Snohomish County, affecting 12 schools and a child care center within the last five weeks. The Snohomish County Health Department reported multiple cases at Cascade View Elementary, Frank Wagner Elementary, and Cascade High School, impacting approximately 20 students and several adults. Whooping cough, formally known as pertussis, is particularly dangerous for infants, and Dr. James Lewis, the county Health Officer, noted that 84% of the cases are among unvaccinated children aged 0 to 4. Among student cases, 85% had been vaccinated, suggesting that vaccination mitigates severity.

Early-age children are encouraged to receive a series of dTap shots, while adults should get Tdap boosters every ten years to maintain immunity. Statewide cases have surged since January 2024, with Snohomish County reporting 98 cases as of March 29, surpassing the total for the entire state in 2023. This uptick in whooping cough cases has raised concerns, especially with many cases involving children who were eligible for vaccination. Health officials stress the importance of vaccination to protect vulnerable populations, particularly infants.