MONROE - Lafayette and Green counties have not been affected as much as surrounding counties by the recent outbreak of pertussis (whopping cough).
As of Monday, July 30, Green County has had 18 confirmed cases this year, according to RoAnn Warden, director of the Green County Health Department.
Six of those were confirmed in June, but the rate of cases has slowed down, Warden said. "We had only two confirmed cases and one suspected in July.
"Most have been of adolescence age," she said, "which is why it is more important to get booster shots."
Debbie Siegenthaler, director of the Lafayette County Health Department, said that county still has not had any confirmed cases this year, but she continues to monitor suspected cases.
Other counties throughout the state have been harder hit: The Wisconsin Department of Health Services reported Dane County with 364 cases, Rock with 53 cases and Iowa with 6 cases by July 15.
From Jan. 1 to July 15, the state has had 3,170 cases (2,220 confirmed and 950 probable) of pertussis. That's the largest number of cases in the state since 2004, which saw more than 5,600 reported cases, according to the state health department.
Pertussis most often affects children between the ages of 10 and 14. Outbreaks at middle and high schools can occur as protection from childhood vaccines fades.
Warden said booster shots are recommended at ages 11-12 and required by schools.
"Also, pregnant women as well as family members of a household who are in contact with new babies - siblings, parents and grandparents," should get boosters, she said.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also stresses the importance of a pertussis booster for people between 11-64, and people 65 and over who are caregivers for young children.
Anyone who is or has been in direct contact with someone with a known diagnosis or showing a symptom of a persistent cough should call their health care provider, Warden added.
Pertussis onset mimics cold-like symptoms, she said.
"Look for a cough that doesn't get better - lasting more than a week," Warden said. "It will get worse."
Warden said the newer protection vaccines are safer than in the past. She encourages those with health insurance to call their primary care provider. Vaccines are also available to those on BadgerCare through health care providers or at the Department of Health Services during immunization clinics.
As of Monday, July 30, Green County has had 18 confirmed cases this year, according to RoAnn Warden, director of the Green County Health Department.
Six of those were confirmed in June, but the rate of cases has slowed down, Warden said. "We had only two confirmed cases and one suspected in July.
"Most have been of adolescence age," she said, "which is why it is more important to get booster shots."
Debbie Siegenthaler, director of the Lafayette County Health Department, said that county still has not had any confirmed cases this year, but she continues to monitor suspected cases.
Other counties throughout the state have been harder hit: The Wisconsin Department of Health Services reported Dane County with 364 cases, Rock with 53 cases and Iowa with 6 cases by July 15.
From Jan. 1 to July 15, the state has had 3,170 cases (2,220 confirmed and 950 probable) of pertussis. That's the largest number of cases in the state since 2004, which saw more than 5,600 reported cases, according to the state health department.
Pertussis most often affects children between the ages of 10 and 14. Outbreaks at middle and high schools can occur as protection from childhood vaccines fades.
Warden said booster shots are recommended at ages 11-12 and required by schools.
"Also, pregnant women as well as family members of a household who are in contact with new babies - siblings, parents and grandparents," should get boosters, she said.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also stresses the importance of a pertussis booster for people between 11-64, and people 65 and over who are caregivers for young children.
Anyone who is or has been in direct contact with someone with a known diagnosis or showing a symptom of a persistent cough should call their health care provider, Warden added.
Pertussis onset mimics cold-like symptoms, she said.
"Look for a cough that doesn't get better - lasting more than a week," Warden said. "It will get worse."
Warden said the newer protection vaccines are safer than in the past. She encourages those with health insurance to call their primary care provider. Vaccines are also available to those on BadgerCare through health care providers or at the Department of Health Services during immunization clinics.