WHITMAN COUNTY, Wash. – New cases of Whooping Cough in Whitman County are under investigation by the Whitman County Public Health, who has issued a community health advisory on the matter.
As of July 23, 2025, Whitman County Public Health is investigating two cases of pertussis, also known as whooping cough. The cases are epi-linked, which they explained means that people got sick from the same source. The phrase is short for epidemiologically linked.
Whooping cough is a serious respiratory illness caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis. It is spread through small drops of spit shared from the mouth or nose during talking, coughing or sneezing.
“It begins with cold-like symptoms and develops into a bad cough,” wrote Whitman County Public Health.
However, coughing spells can be severe and can end in gagging or vomiting. Complications of whooping cough can include pneumonia, passing out, seizures, stopping breathing and death.
These severe complications are most common in infants.
Whitman County Public Health requested five responses from the public:
Be aware of whooping cough and encourage people diagnosed with whooping cough to reach out to Whitman County Public Health at 509-332-6752.Talk to a healthcare provider if close contact occurs with someone diagnosed with whooping cough.Be up to date with pertussis immunizations like DTap or Tdap. Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing and wash your hands often with soap or water.Stay home when sick and limit your exposure to people who are sick.
There are tests available for whooping cough. Whitman County Public Health recommended Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing, but said that a negative test does not mean that the sick person should stop treatment.
Antibiotics are available for those with whooping cough as well as those who have been exposed to whooping cough. Diagnosed people should isolate for either five days of antibiotic treatment or 21 days after symptoms start.
However, immunization is the most effective way to prevent whooping cough, they said.
