Whooping cough outbreak linked to state high school wrestling championship in Tacoma Dome

Washington state health officials are investigating an outbreak of whooping cough, also known as pertussis, among people who attended the state high school wrestling championships  held last month in the Tacoma Dome.

So far, at least 15 people, including wrestlers, coaches and spectators, who attended the match—The 2009 Mat Classic—have come down with the infection.

“Anyone who attended the tournament and now has cold symptoms and a cough, or is in close contact with someone who has whooping cough, should contact a health care provider,” warn Department of Health officials.

“People who have or may have pertussis should stay away from babies, young children, and pregnant women until treated,” they add.

Whooping cough, or pertussis, is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by the bacteri Bordetella pertussis. The infection is usually spread by coughing and sneezing.

The illness begins with symptoms similar to a cold, with fever, runny nose and a cough, but in one to two weeks the infection can cause long, violent coughing spells.

After such bouts, children often inhale with a loud “whooping” sound, which gives whooping cough its name.

The medical name pertussis comes from the Latin words meaning “extreme” + “a cough”.

The disease can be prevented by vaccination. All children should be vaccinated, health officials say, and booster shots are recommended for vaccinated adults and adolescents.

PHOTO CREDIT: CDC

To learn more:

• Read the health advisory from the Washington State Department of Health below.
• Read the Department of Health’s fact sheet on pertussis.
• Read the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s information page on Whooping Cough.

Whooping cough cases at state wrestling tournament — other cases likely

State and local health officials investigating

OLYMPIA — At least 15 people with whooping cough (pertussis) attended the 2009 Mat Classic — the state high school wrestling championships held at the Tacoma Dome. The cases were among wrestlers, coaching staff, and spectators at the event February 20-21 — showing the importance of vaccination against whooping cough and other preventable diseases.

The whooping cough cases associated with the tournament are from Kittitas and Pacific Counties. People from all over the state attended the event — attendance has been estimated at 30,000. Pertussis is common in our state — over the past decade, an average 600 cases have been reported each year. There are currently other whooping cough cases in the state that aren’t associated with the tournament.

The state Department of Health is working with local health agencies, school nurses, and the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) (www.wiaa.com) to notify attendees that they may have been exposed to whooping cough.

Pertussis (http://www.doh.wa.gov/EHSPHL/factsheet/pertussis.htm) is highly contagious and spreads easily through coughing and sneezing. Initial symptoms are similar to the common cold — sneezing, runny nose, low-grade fever, and a mild cough. Within two weeks, the cough may become severe and can develop into coughing spells followed by a high-pitched whoop. An infected person can spread the disease from the beginning of the cold-like symptoms to three weeks after the coughing episodes start. Antibiotics can reduce the contagious period.

Anyone who attended the tournament and now has cold symptoms and a cough, or is in close contact with someone who has whooping cough, should contact a health care provider. You may be asked to wear a mask in the doctor’s office to help prevent spreading the disease. People who have or may have pertussis should stay away from babies, young children, and pregnant women until treated.

The best way to prevent pertussis is to be properly vaccinated. Whooping cough vaccines are recommended for children and adults. Teens and adults often get a milder form of whooping cough, but can spread the disease to babies and young children who may not be fully protected, and are at greater risk of serious complications. Children should get five vaccinations between two months of age and when they start school. A whooping cough booster shot is now available and recommended for people 11-64.

For information on preventing whooping cough contact your local health agency (www.doh.wa.gov/LHJMap/LHJMap.htm) or the Department of Health’s Immunization Program (www.doh.wa.gov/cfh/Immunize) at 360-236-3595. More information on pertussis is available online (www.doh.wa.gov/cfh/Immunize/diseases/pertussis).