Pertussis (Whooping Cough)

Pertussis, or whooping cough, is a contagious disease that can cause a prolonged and sometimes severe cough illness. It is caused by the bacterium, Bordetella pertussis, and is found in the nose and throat of an infected person. An infected person has cough episodes that may end in vomiting or cause a "whoop" sound when the person breathes in air. Pertussis can occur at any age but severe illness is more common in infants and young children who have not been immunized.

Resources for the Public

• Pertussis fact sheet Español

• CDC's pertussis webpage

Resources for Schools and Childcare

• Sample notification letters 

  • Contacts needing antibiotics   Español
  • Notification of exposure      Español    

•    Infectious Diseases in Child Care and School Settings

Resources for Health Care Professionals

• Pertussis Specimen Collection Instructions  

• Guidance on the Treatment and Prophylaxis of Pertussis Cases and Contacts

• CDC's Best Practices for Healthcare Professionals on the use of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for Diagnosing Pertussis

• Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases: Pertussis (CDC, 11th Edition)

• Manual for the Surveillance of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases:  Pertussis (CDC)

Resources for Public Health Professionals

• Pertussis Surveillance Worksheet (Instructions)
• Enhanced Pertussis Surveillance Worksheet for Denver Metropolitan Area (Instructions)
• Pertussis Investigation and Control Guidelines
• Pertussis Specimen Collection Instructions
• Guidance on the Treatment and Prophylaxis of Pertussis Cases and Contacts
• Flow Chart for Prioritizing Public Health Pertussis Investigations   new!  

Data and Statistics

2013  

• Pertussis cases by week of report    
• Pertussis cases and rates by age group    
• Pertussis cases by county   
• Pertussis cases by month of report: 2013 compared to previous years         

2012

• Pertussis cases by week of report
• Pertussis cases and rates by age group
• Pertussis cases by county

2011

• Pertussis cases by week of report
• Pertussis cases by age group
• Pertussis by county

Reported Cases of Vaccine Preventable Disease in Colorado  

Vaccine Preventable Disease Surveillance Report, 2011