Increase in whooping cough for the county

EPHRATA – Health Officer Dr. Alexander Brzezny reported to the Grant County Board of Health in May that there was a significant increase in cases of Pertussis in Grant County over the previous month.

“To date, we have more cases than we had last year,” Brzezny said. “We are currently working on seven cases.”

Cases were treated in Soap Lake, Mattawa, Moses Lake, and Ephrata. One case is in the 1-18 year age range.

“Every time we have a case in Grant County, it means we have other cases in Grant County because it is transmitted person to person,” Brzezny. “We have tried to identify all of the contacts and treat the individuals with antibiotics to prevent the disease from spreading.”

Regarding influenza, Brzezny reported that in April there was minimal activity, and it could be said at that time that the season was ended or almost ended.

Regarding Tuberculosis, Brzezny said, Grant County Health District continues therapy on one individual. That case could be ended soon.

The county had a second case this year of Hepatitis A but, by managing the contacts, there have been no secondary cases.

“It is a concerning disease because it is spread by a fecal, oral route,” Brzezny said.

Hepatitis A is a vaccine preventable disease. The Health District has assisted in administering more vaccine and advising treatment to the contacts.

There were also two cases of Meningitis in Brzezny's report. One was Staph Meningitis, and the other was Viral Meningitis.

“They were not necessarily a public health interest,” Brzezny said.