OUTAGAMIE COUNTY, WI – Outagamie County health officials are urging residents to take precautions as cases of whooping cough, also known as pertussis, continue to rise alongside other respiratory illnesses such as the flu, RSV, and COVID-19.
Public Health Nursing Supervisor Lillian Wegner says with children spending long hours in close contact at school, germs can spread quickly, especially to younger siblings who aren’t fully vaccinated. Currently, only 74 percent of 2-year-olds in the county are protected against pertussis.
Health officials note that the illness often begins with symptoms similar to a common cold, including a runny nose, sneezing, and mild coughing, but can progress to severe coughing fits that make it difficult to breathe.
Residents are urged to stay home if they’re sick, get tested, and ensure their DTaP and Tdap vaccinations are up to date to help slow the spread of respiratory illnesses this season.
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