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McHenry County health officials report rise in pertussis, roll out respiratory testing and mobile clinic schedule
Summary
Health department staff told the board they are seeing a marked increase in pertussis cases among school-age children, will launch drive-up respiratory testing Dec. 2 and are deploying a mobile clinic to a wellness fair at McHenry County College.
McHenry County Department of Health staff reported on Nov. 18 that pertussis (whooping cough) cases are increasing, particularly among school-age children, and outlined steps the department is taking to expand testing and outreach.
The department will begin drive-up respiratory point-of-care testing on Dec. 2 using an ER trailer in the parking lot for specimen collection and on-site results; an online scheduling portal is being developed. Staff also said COVID-19 activity remains low, influenza is rising as expected for the season and there is an increase in atypical pneumonia cases (Mycoplasma pneumoniae), which uses the same macrolide antibiotics commonly prescribed for pertussis.
Why it matters: A rise in pertussis can affect infants and unvaccinated people most severely; local public health messaging and targeted testing aim to limit spread and inform clinicians about treatment options.
Details and actions discussed - Mobile clinic: Department staff said the mobile clinic will be stationed at McHenry County College during the college’s wellness fair and will provide on-site services.
- Respiratory testing: The department will offer drive-up testing starting Dec. 2 using a parked ER trailer so people can remain in cars while staff test and deliver results. Staff are coordinating with IT to add online appointment scheduling.
- Surveillance and long-term care outreach: Respiratory surveillance funding supports a roundtable for long-term care facilities and targeted outreach to providers and the public.
- Treatment and antibiotic availability: Board members were advised of a potential shortage risk for macrolide antibiotics (for example, azithromycin) because the same drugs are used for Mycoplasma pneumoniae and pertussis. Staff urged clinicians not to prescribe macrolides unnecessarily to conserve supply.
- Mpox monitoring: Staff noted a low-risk first clade-1 mpox case in the U.S. and said they are offering vaccine options for at-risk individuals; the department described the local risk as very low.
Board and staff comments - Department staff stressed vaccination: speakers reminded the public that Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) is the vaccine used for pertussis protection and that up-to-date vaccination is particularly important for adults around newborns.
- Testing logistics: Staff said the drive-up testing and the long-term care roundtable are funded through respiratory surveillance grants and will help provide targeted testing and outbreak prevention for congregate settings.
What’s next: The drive-up testing service opens Dec. 2; department staff will implement online scheduling and continue provider and public communications about pertussis, influenza and respiratory surveillance.
