By Heather Gann
(Paul Gattis )
Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, has now spread to an Alabama college campus after over a month of reported outbreaks in K-12 schools.
On Monday, the University of Alabama at Huntsville (UAH) released a statement saying that “a limited number of cases” had been identified.
“We are taking precautions to prevent future infections,” the release reads.
“If you have been seen by a medical provider and Pertussis was suspected, please stay at home for the first 5 days of the appropriate antibiotic treatment or until test results are known. The most accurate test for diagnosing pertussis is a swab placed through the nose called a nasopharyngeal swab.”
“Appropriate antibiotics given early may minimize severe symptoms and prevent further spread of the disease. Please observe yourself for the above symptoms for the next 3 weeks. Adults, teens, and vaccinated children often have milder symptoms that may be confused with bronchitis or asthma.”
Two more cases were reported at Hewitt-Trussville High School within the last week, according to a report from WBRC.
And one parent in a Facebook post said she had received a letter from Springville High School letting her know about an outbreak earlier this week.
Representatives for both high schools did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
According to a report published on the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners website from the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH), whooping cough cases in Alabama had increased 300% from 41 cases in 2023 to 123 cases in 2024 as of October 17.
The disease is caused by bacteria infecting the mouth, nose and throat and is spread through the air by coughing.
Symptoms can appear 5 to 21 days after infection and can usually be treated by a five-day antibiotic course, according to the ADPH.
The ADPH, the CDC, and Alabama schools are also strongly recommending that parents look into the new whooping cough booster “Tdap,” for children 11 years and older.
In Alabama, the “Dtap” Pertussis vaccine is given until 7 years of age and vaccine protection begins to fade in older children.
The booster helps increase protection for adolescent students, who public health officials say are getting hit the hardest this year.