Benton County public-health director warns of statewide pertussis spike; local cases reported

Sarah Hartstein, Benton County's newly appointed public health director, briefed the Board of Commissioners on respiratory-season surveillance and a spike in pertussis cases across Oregon. Hartstein said the county uses emergency-department syndromic surveillance to track respiratory illnesses and reported that, as of Dec. 12, Oregon had recorded 948 pertussis cases, the highest since 2012; locally, Benton County has 15 confirmed cases.

Hartstein emphasized the clinical risk pertussis poses to newborns and young children (one in three infants younger than 1 year who contract pertussis require hospital care) and reviewed recommended vaccination schedules (DTaP for children at 2, 4 and 6 months, a 15' to 18-month booster, 4 to kindergarten, adolescent Tdap at 11' to 12 years, and adult boosters every 10 years). She recommended that pregnant persons receive a Tdap booster during each pregnancy to pass protective antibodies to newborns and urged household contacts and caregivers to update vaccines and, when appropriate, take post-exposure prophylaxis.

Commissioners asked for age-profile and coverage-rate breakdowns; Hartstein said she would follow up with specific percentages for Oregon and Benton County. She and her communications team said they are issuing health advisories to providers, daycares and schools and promoting vaccination through Benton Health newsletter and social media.

What happens next: Hartstein will provide requested age and vaccination-coverage data to the board and continue outreach to providers and the public regarding vaccination and isolation and prophylaxis guidance.

Sources: Presentation by Sarah Hartstein at the Benton County Board meeting.