[Originally released May 23, 2024]
Bordetella pertussis cases increasing across our region
Since January 2024, Metropolitan Area Pertussis Surveillance (MAPS) has identified 87 cases of pertussis in the Portland area counties (Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington), compared to only 5 cases the same time last year.
We request that area clinicians:
Consider a diagnosis of pertussis
For any person:
- Experiencing a cough for at least one week, or
- Symptomatic and with suspected contact with a person who has pertussis. This includes children who attend a school or daycare where there is a known case or outbreak.
Test suspected cases for B. pertussis
With NP swab for PCR (+/- culture)
- Remember that not all pertussis cases have the pathognomonic “whoop” (a high-pitched noise made when breathing in after coughing)
- Remember that vaccinated individuals may have milder infections, but can still develop pertussis infection and spread pertussis to others.
- Serology should not be used for diagnosing acute pertussis in our area.
- Free testing is available through the Oregon State Public Health Lab
Notify public health
For any individual testing positive for pertussis within one working day of the positive result, per Oregon Public Health reporting requirements. Any suspected outbreaks of pertussis are immediately notifiable to your local public health department.
503-313-6982 | Metropolitan Area Pertussis Surveillance nurse for Clackamas, Washington, and Multnomah County case reports
Treat individuals with pertussis
- And consider prophylaxis for household contacts considered to be high risk
- People at highest risk for pertussis include infants and pregnant people in the 3rd trimester (due to the risk to the infant).
- Exclude individuals with pertussis from work, school, or childcare until antibiotics are completed (5 days).
- Discourage contact between cases and pregnant individuals, infants, or those with immune compromise.
Ensure patients are up-to-date with recommended pertussis vaccine
Per the current CDC immunization schedule, especially those in 3rd trimester pregnancy.
Medical directors and chief medical officers are encouraged to share this clinician alert with clinicians in their organizations. Thank you for your partnership in keeping our community as safe as possible.
Resources for Patients
- CDC About Whooping Cough (risk factors, symptoms, treatment, prevention)
- Oregon Health Authority Pertussis Facts (PDF)
Pertussis Flyer - English (703.58 KB)
Resources for Clinicians
- Oregon Health Authority Diseases A-Z Pertussis
- CDC Clinical Overview of Pertussis
- Oregon notifiable condition reporting requirements
- CDC Best Practices for Use of PCR for Diagnosing Pertussis
- Clark County, WA spring 2024 Pertussis Health Advisory
Health Officers
- Christina Baumann, MD, MPH, Washington County
- Richard Bruno, MD, MPH, Multnomah County
- Teresa Everson, MD, MPH, CPH, Multnomah County (deputy)
- Sarah Present, MD, MPH Clackamas County
