Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Health
Mathew Holding Eagle III

Minnesota Department of Health: Statewide whooping cough cases at 8-year high

Whooping cough vaccination
Nurses Fatima Guillen, left, and Fran Wendt, right, give Kimberly Magdeleno, 4, a Tdap whooping cough booster shot, as she is held by her mother, Claudia Solorio, at a health clinic in Tacoma, Wash., in 2012.
AP Photo/Ted S. Warren

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Cases of whooping cough, also known as pertussis, are at an eight-year high in the state. The Minnesota Department of Health reports there are currently 1,019 cases compared to 61 this time last year. Although infections are statewide most cases are in the seven-county metro. 

MDH senior epidemiologist Victor Cruz said it's important to stay up to date with vaccinations because immunization isn't lifelong. 

“Pertussis is really contagious. It spreads typically in child care settings, schools and universities. We also see lots of household-related outbreaks,” he said. “People at highest risk for severe symptoms are infants and adolescents.” 

If left untreated, whooping cough can lead to an increased chance of contracting pneumonia or even death. Cruz said vaccination, which should be done once every 10 years, can decrease the severity of the symptoms and length of the illness. 

Cruz added the uptick in cases isn’t just in Minnesota.  

“This is typically something that we do see, pertussis cases tend to cluster within a year. It's not necessarily a specific time of the year,” he said. “But cases nationally and in other states are seeing the same trend.” 

Earlier this week, the University of Minnesota's Twin Cities campus emailed students about the heightened risk of exposure to the disease. University representatives said there were fewer than 10 confirmed cases there. They also said they “will continue to work closely with local and state public health officials to implement notifications, and treatment of exposed individuals, in accordance with public health regulations and clinical guidelines.” 

Cruz said testing and evaluation are done through a swab test. Treatment includes a five-day course of antibiotics. Whooping-cough related hospitalizations in the state remain low.