Prevent Whooping Cough: Tips for Healthy Wellness

Brookline, a town in Massachusetts, is currently facing the largest Whooping cough outbreak of the year. The outbreak has affected 17 students, primarily from Brookline High School, with one additional case reported at Runkle Elementary School. The public health officials in Brookline have urged the community to report any symptoms related to whooping cough to prevent the infection from spreading, especially to young children who are at high risk.

Sigalle Reiss, the Director of Brookline Public Health and Human Services, emphasized the importance of vigilance due to summer travel and family visits, highlighting the increased risk of transmission to vulnerable populations. Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a bacterial infection that primarily affects babies and young children, posing a severe threat due to their smaller airways. The infection can be fatal, with as many as 20 babies dying from it annually in the United States.

In response to the outbreak, health officials are considering reaching out to summer camps as a precautionary measure. The infection initially spread among members of a sports team at Brookline High School, prompting school officials to notify all families and take necessary precautions. Pertussis is highly contagious and can spread through airborne droplets from coughing or sneezing, making early detection and treatment crucial.

Vaccination plays a critical role in preventing the spread of whooping cough, with Massachusetts requiring all students from kindergarten through 12th grade to be vaccinated. While Brookline High School boasts a 99% vaccination rate, studies have shown that immunity to the pertussis vaccine can wane over time. Health officials recommend adults to receive a booster shot every ten years to maintain immunity.

In addition to Brookline, other towns in Norfolk county, including Bedford, have reported pertussis cases this year, bringing the total number of cases in Massachusetts to 157. Despite the concerning increase in cases, health experts like Dr. Shira Doron, the chief infection control officer at Tufts Medicine, assure that staying up to date with vaccinations can help prevent and slow the spread of the outbreak. The CDC recommends getting the Tdap vaccine for adults and receiving booster shots every ten years to ensure continued protection against whooping cough.