This 2016 illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention depicts Bordetella pertussis bacteria, which causes whooping cough, based on electron microscope imagery. (Meredith Newlove/CDC via AP)

PARKERSBURG — The Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department has recorded more cases of pertussis, also known as whooping cough, this year than in the last five years combined.

The department investigated 16 cases of the respiratory illness between Jan. 1 and Oct. 31 in the region it serves, which includes Wood, Wirt, Roane, Ritchie, Pleasants and Calhoun counties, said Amy Phelps, public information officer.

“This is a spike in cases we have not seen in many years,” she said. “The state of West Virginia is experiencing a spike in pertussis cases as a whole.”

There have only been two cases so far in Washington County this year. The Wetzel-Tyler Health Department reported a confirmed case “within our community” on Friday as well.

Pertussis is a contagious respiratory illness caused by bacteria and can spread easily through coughing and sneezing, the post said. Symptoms of pertussis may include persistent coughing fits, often followed by a “whooping” sound; difficulty breathing during coughing spells; vomiting after coughing and exhaustion following coughing episodes, the post said. In the early stages, symptoms can be a runny nose, low-grade fever and mild cough.

People can spread the bacteria from the start of symptoms to at least two weeks after coughing begins, although antibiotics may shorten this period, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Pertussis can affect people of all ages but can be especially serious for infants, young children and those with weakened immune systems.

“Most people with good medical care or time recover,” said Sherry Ellem, administrative director for the Washington County Health Department. “There are certain groups that are more at risk.”

According to the CDC, the most effective way to prevent pertussis is vaccination. The CDC recommends DTaP and TdaP vaccines for babies, children, teens, adults and women who are pregnant. The protection wanes over time and boosters are generally recommended every 10 years.

Ellem said it is an individual’s choice of whether to receive the vaccine, but the more people that are vaccinated, the less prevalent pertussis is.

“It protects those around us that we love,” she said.

If someone is experiencing symptoms of pertussis, the Wetzel-Tyler Health Department post asks that they call ahead before entering any health care facility so that staff members can take precautions to prevent the further spread of illness.

The Washington County Health Department recorded its first case of the year in October, Ellem said.

The department’s reports show three cases of pertussis in 2022 and none in 2023. The 2024 report was not immediately available on the department’s website.

The Marietta-Belpre Health Department had a record of one case in July, registered nurse Kim Guckert said, but it was not immediately clear whether it was suspected or confirmed.

In the previous five years, the Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department recorded 11 cases of pertussis, Phelps said. The total for the last 10 years was 18.

Phelps said the department has not found anything to which to attribute the increase at this point.