Pertussis outbreak continues in region

BONNERS FERRY — With the region in the middle of a pertussis outbreak, there is help available, Panhandle Health District officials said.

And, the earlier you seek treatment to either confirm or rule out pertussis, the less severe your symptoms and length of illness might be.

"In general, if you [have pertussis], antibiotics can shorten the time that you're infectious so that you're not spreading it to people as well as potentially reduce how long you are ill," Rebecca Betz, PHD epidemiology manager, said. "Pertussis can last for weeks but the earlier it's treated, there's the potential for shortening the duration that you're coughing and any further complications."

Typically, in its early stages, pertussis is similar to a common cold with a runny nose, low-grade fever and a mild cough. Once the bacteria "kind of gets in there and starts doing its damage," and, in some cases, the coughing can get so severe it results in vomiting.

Betz said the "whooping" sound is not being heard in many of the cases, but there are reports of difficulty in breathing and periods of apnea, where the individual stops breathing.

Since April, the number of reported pertussis cases in North Idaho has grown from a few dozen to 166 as of mid-September, and that number is continuing to increase. The number of cases is likely much higher when unreported cases are factored in.

That compares to nine total cases over the past three years — five in 2023, three in 2022, and one in 2021.

"With the reported rates, you know there's a number of cases that are not being reported, especially when you have something that shows as a common cold," Katherine Hoyer, PHD public information officer, said.

It's hard to tell where the region is in terms of the outbreak, but the hope is that, if people get treatment earlier, it lessens the spread of pertussis and helps those people with the disease feel better faster.

"I would say the most important thing is for people to understand that there is treatment available and that treatment can reduce symptoms as well as chances for complications," Betz said. "To understand that if it may start like a common cold, but it is a bacteria and it can be spread easily from person to person."

The bottom line? When in doubt, get checked out.

"We've all probably done it, tried to tough out an illness thinking, 'I'll be better tomorrow' and then it keeps going and going … but if there's a medication that can help you feel better sooner and can potentially lessen your contagious period, why not?"

While a majority of the cases fall within Kootenai County, health district officials note that all five northern counties, including Bonner and Boundary counties, have seen pertussis cases.

The outbreak has prompted several health warnings, the first sent to healthcare providers within the district and then a public alert in April when the number of cases reached about 70. However, the number of cases has continued to increase in the intervening months.

While it may seem to be a common cold, PHD officials recommended contacting a healthcare provider to be tested. If at the starting stages, antibiotics can help; and if someone is past the contagious stage, monitoring can help prevent further complications as their lungs heal.

A majority of the cases are being seen in school-age children, with a wide range of symptoms being seen, Betz said. Few of the cases are presenting with the "whooping" cough, which lends the disease its well-known nickname, but in the more severe cases, they are seeing vomiting after the coughing fits that accompany the disease or apnea with patients struggling to breathe.

While that "whoop" sound may not be present, anyone with a cough lasting longer than two weeks should be seen by a provider to either rule out or confirm pertussis.

While most common in infants and children, anyone who is immunocompromised is at risk, health district officials said. 

Whether at the starting stages or further down the line, anyone who suspects exposure to pertussis should contact their healthcare provider. No one, both PHD and Kaniksu Community Health officials said, will be turned away and denied care. Clinics are held in each of the PHD's five counties, and health district officials will see those in need regardless of ability to pay or insurance status.

"No one will be denied care based on their ability to pay," said Olivia Luther, director of marketing and community relations at Kaniksu Community Health.

The CDC recommends two different kinds of immunizations: DTap and Tdap. DTap is intended for children and babies between 2 months of age and 7 years old. A series of five shots, Tdap is intended for anyone 7 years of age or older and is usually given every five to 10 years as a booster. Both immunizations protect against pertussis, tetanus and diphtheria.

"Vaccinations are important," Hoyer said. "Immunize if you can. I know that's tricky up here, but there are ways to prevent these things from happening."