Whooping Cough Cases Increase In McHenry County

32 cases of pertussis (whooping cough) reported in McHenry County

In an attempt to curb the rising cases of pertussis (whooping cough), McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) is partnering with Dominick’s Pharmacy to offer Tdap (Tetanus, Diptheria, and Pertussis) walk-in vaccination clinics at the following locations –

Saturday, November 5

 9:00 am-1:00 pm;

Algonquin Township Office,

3702 U.S. Highway 14,

Crystal Lake

Wednesday. November 9

3:00 pm-7:00 pm;

McHenry County Department of Health

100 N Virginia Street

 Crystal Lake

MCDH and Dominick’s pharmacy will be offering Adacel® (pharmaceutical name for Tdap), which is the vaccine recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for preventing whooping cough. 

 Those eligible include individuals 11 years or older not vaccinated with Tdap in the last 10 years. 

Children 18 years and younger must be accompanied by a parent and provide an up-to-date vaccination record. 

Vaccine quantity is limited.

The cost is $50; Medicaid is accepted with reduced fee for uninsured, underinsured and income eligible.

Thirty-two (32) cases of pertussis have been confirmed as of October 31, with 25 cases being reported from Cary-Grove High School. 

Other schools include Cary Junior High, Deer Path Elementary and Briargate Elementary, Crystal Lake’s Lundahl Middle School and Martin Elementary in Lake in the Hills.

MCDH is providing weekly updates to physicians, school officials and local hospitals.  MCDH reported 51 cases of pertussis in 2009; 9 cases in 2010.

HELP PREVENT THE SPREAD OF PERTUSSIS IN OUR COMMUNITIES BY GETTING VACCINATED. 

 Pertussis (whooping cough) is a highly contagious disease and is generally transmitted person to person while coughing or sneezing. Whooping cough can last for several weeks and eventually lead to complications like pneumonia, encephalitis or pulmonary hypertension.

 In case of infants, this disease may lead to brain damage which can eventually cause death. Some of the most common symptoms include cough, runny nose, vomiting and sneezing. These symptoms may start appearing after the incubation period which is typically 7-14 days.

Frequent hand washing, respiratory hygiene (ie, covering the mouth, coughing into tissues, disposing of tissues properly) and staying home when ill are important practices to limit the spread of infection. 

Students who are receiving antibiotics need to remain at home for five (5) days to complete the course of treatment.  Returning to school earlier could allow pertussis to spread. Contact your physician if you or your child has symptoms or questions on whether the vaccine is needed. For more information, call MCDH’s hotline (815-334-2800) or visit McHenry County Health Department