| Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services Department Division of the Medical Director Epidemiology and Surveillance Program 15 Waller Street Austin, TX 78702 |
PERTUSSIS ALERT
During April 2005, the Austin/Travis County Health and Human Service Department (ATCHHSD) experienced an
increase in the number of suspected Pertussis (or Whooping Cough) reports. Since mid-April 2005 to the present,
ATCHHSD issued written recommendations to 8 schools in the Austin and Pflugerville Independent School Districts.
Additionally, an increase in the number of cases in infants less than 1 year old has been observed.
• In 2004, 97 confirmed Pertussis cases were identified from 306 investigations.
• From January through March 2005, 25 confirmed Pertussis cases were identified from 102 investigations.
• In April and May 2005, 33 confirmed Pertussis cases have been identified from 149 investigations. Of the 149
reports investigated, 33 reports are pending confirmation.
• Of the 33 confirmed cases, 2 positive PCR reports in infants less than 2 months of age and 3 positive PCR
reports in children age range 10 to 13 years have been confirmed.
• Travis County’s last infant death due to Pertussis occurred in spring of 2003 in a 6-week old infant.
• The investigations are currently focused in the northeastern and southwestern parts of Travis County.
ATCHHHSD is seeking your assistance in the management of the current increase of Pertussis cases in our
community. The following recommendations are for your consideration and clarification.
• Suspected Pertussis is a reportable condition that should be immediately reported to the local health
department, (512) 972-5590. Health department staff investigates all Pertussis reports in order to identify contacts
and begin prophylactic treatment.
• Consider Pertussis when assessing patients with a potential exposure, or with cough duration greater than two
weeks.
• Testing for Pertussis can be done with a culture or PCR. Best results occur when completed within the first two
weeks of cough onset. PCR, though very sensitive, has a lower specificity, and has the ability to recover killed
organism (in the event patient has already received antibiotics). A negative test result does not solely rule out
disease.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Department of State Health Services, nor the
Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services do not currently recognize 3-day treatment regimens. Current
treatment guidelines can be found at www.cdc.gov or at www.dshs.state.tx.us.
• ATCHHSD recommends school exclusion until 5 days of treatment for Pertussis illness as well as for
symptomatic contacts.
• Please review the immunization status of all infants and children and take every opportunity to vaccinate
against Pertussis. Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTaP) vaccine should be administered at 2, 4, 6 and15-18
months and between 4-6 years of age.
The link below is to the FDA website which announces the licensure of Boostrix (Tdap adolescent Pertussis
vaccine). Physicians can begin placing orders for this vaccine June 1st, 2005 and the company will begin shipment
of vaccine June 6th 2005. At this time, we have no timetable as to when this vaccine will be available to Texas
Vaccine for Children providers. The VIS form and ACIP recommendations on this vaccine are not available, but it is
anticipated that they will be published prior to the vaccine being available in the marketplace.
http://www.fda.gov/cber/products/tdapgla050305.htm
We appreciate your assistance in this matter. Additional questions and or concerns can be directed to our Disease
Surveillance Program at (512) 972-5590.
Adolfo M. Valadez, M.D., M.P.H.
Medical director/Health Authority
Austin Travis County Health and Human Services Department
During April 2005, the Austin/Travis County Health and Human Service Department (ATCHHSD) experienced an
increase in the number of suspected Pertussis (or Whooping Cough) reports. Since mid-April 2005 to the present,
ATCHHSD issued written recommendations to 8 schools in the Austin and Pflugerville Independent School Districts.
Additionally, an increase in the number of cases in infants less than 1 year old has been observed.
• In 2004, 97 confirmed Pertussis cases were identified from 306 investigations.
• From January through March 2005, 25 confirmed Pertussis cases were identified from 102 investigations.
• In April and May 2005, 33 confirmed Pertussis cases have been identified from 149 investigations. Of the 149
reports investigated, 33 reports are pending confirmation.
• Of the 33 confirmed cases, 2 positive PCR reports in infants less than 2 months of age and 3 positive PCR
reports in children age range 10 to 13 years have been confirmed.
• Travis County’s last infant death due to Pertussis occurred in spring of 2003 in a 6-week old infant.
• The investigations are currently focused in the northeastern and southwestern parts of Travis County.
ATCHHHSD is seeking your assistance in the management of the current increase of Pertussis cases in our
community. The following recommendations are for your consideration and clarification.
• Suspected Pertussis is a reportable condition that should be immediately reported to the local health
department, (512) 972-5590. Health department staff investigates all Pertussis reports in order to identify contacts
and begin prophylactic treatment.
• Consider Pertussis when assessing patients with a potential exposure, or with cough duration greater than two
weeks.
• Testing for Pertussis can be done with a culture or PCR. Best results occur when completed within the first two
weeks of cough onset. PCR, though very sensitive, has a lower specificity, and has the ability to recover killed
organism (in the event patient has already received antibiotics). A negative test result does not solely rule out
disease.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Department of State Health Services, nor the
Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services do not currently recognize 3-day treatment regimens. Current
treatment guidelines can be found at www.cdc.gov or at www.dshs.state.tx.us.
• ATCHHSD recommends school exclusion until 5 days of treatment for Pertussis illness as well as for
symptomatic contacts.
• Please review the immunization status of all infants and children and take every opportunity to vaccinate
against Pertussis. Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTaP) vaccine should be administered at 2, 4, 6 and15-18
months and between 4-6 years of age.
The link below is to the FDA website which announces the licensure of Boostrix (Tdap adolescent Pertussis
vaccine). Physicians can begin placing orders for this vaccine June 1st, 2005 and the company will begin shipment
of vaccine June 6th 2005. At this time, we have no timetable as to when this vaccine will be available to Texas
Vaccine for Children providers. The VIS form and ACIP recommendations on this vaccine are not available, but it is
anticipated that they will be published prior to the vaccine being available in the marketplace.
http://www.fda.gov/cber/products/tdapgla050305.htm
We appreciate your assistance in this matter. Additional questions and or concerns can be directed to our Disease
Surveillance Program at (512) 972-5590.
Adolfo M. Valadez, M.D., M.P.H.
Medical director/Health Authority
Austin Travis County Health and Human Services Department