Oregon is poised to surpass its state record for whooping cough cases, previously set in 2012 with a total of 910 recorded incidents. This year, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has reported 827 cases across 23 counties, and with the year still ongoing, officials anticipate that the record will soon be broken. Tragically, at least one death, involving an older adult, has been attributed to the outbreak.
Lane County currently leads the state with 249 cases, followed by Multnomah County with 180, Clackamas County with 109, Washington County with 67, and Deschutes County with 59. The affected individuals range in age from just 5 weeks to 89 years, with a median age of 11.
According to OHA data, nearly half (49%) of the whooping cough cases reported this year involved individuals who had not received any documented doses of the pertussis vaccine. Conversely, only 44% were up to date with their vaccinations. Notably, there have been 75 cases among infants, the group most vulnerable to severe illness and hospitalization.
In addition to the whooping cough surge, Clark County in Washington has also reported a significant number of cases, contributing to the rising trend in the region. Public health experts are strongly advocating for vaccinations, particularly for pregnant individuals, children, and older adults, amid a concerning increase in vaccine exemptions, which are at an all-time high according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The rise in whooping cough cases marks the highest level seen in the past decade, with a staggering increase of nearly 2,500% in annual cases. Oregon has also seen a rise in chickenpox outbreaks, primarily among unvaccinated children, further underscoring the urgent need for vaccination efforts.
