Brown County Health warns of whooping cough spreading in the community

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GREEN BAY, Wis. (WBAY) - Cases of whooping cough may be no longer limited to De Pere High School or the De Pere School District. The Brown County Public Health Department says pertussis is spreading.

Earlier this week, the City of De Pere Health Department said there were several confirmed cases and probable cases at multiple buildings in the school district. Close contacts were being notified. Action 2 News has reached out to the county health department for an update on cases in the community.

A person infected with pertussis can spread it before they show any symptoms. Those symptoms start like a common cold, with a runny nose, sneezing, low fever, and an occasional, mild cough. It may also be mistaken for allergies. It eventually develops into violent coughing fits and difficulty breathing, resulting in deep breaths that give pertussis the name "whooping cough."

It's very contagious, spreading in droplets of saliva when you talk, sneeze or cough.

It can spread to people of all ages, but the health department says it can be serious and potentially fatal in babies under 1 year old.

If you or anyone in the family has symptoms, or was around anyone you suspect has whooping cough, contact your primary care physician or a health clinic for testing and treatment.

The best protection is to stay up-to-date on vaccinations. If you aren't sure if you or your child is up-to-date on the pertussis vaccine, contact your health care provider or visit the Wisconsin Immunization Registry.

Visit this Wisconsin Department of Health Services website for more information about whooping cough, pertussis vaccines, and prevention.

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