The Michigan Department of Community Health, or MDCH, has identified 20 individuals in the Ingham County area who are at high risk for contracting pertussis.

Marcus Cheatham, the Assistant Deputy Health Officer for the Ingham County Health Department said outbreaks of pertussis are becoming common and can happen anywhere.

“Pertussis is increasing nationally and in Michigan,” Cheatham said. “Last year (in Ingham County) we had 294 cases, and in 2010 we’ve had 426. It does go in cycles. It’s normal for it to have a couple years that are really high and some that are lower.”

The department is in the process of contacting the 20 individuals who were identified as being high risk through the MDCH, Cheatham said. Those who have had immunizations are not at risk, but two individuals whose vaccinations are not up to date have been located and advised to contact their doctors. Cheatham said only two such people have been identified thus far, and the department will work throughout the weekend until all 20 are contacted.

Those infected with pertussis experience a strong, hacking cough that can last for several weeks. It can be fatal in infants, who can contract the disease from immunized adults and children.

“People remember it for the rest of their lives as being a bad experience,” Cheatham said.

Once factor contributing to the high number of cases is a lack people receiving proper immunizations Cheatham said.

“We’ve had good, effective immunizations around for a good generation,” Cheatham said. “People forget what the shots are for and people hear on the internet about how vaccines are dangerous, and you hear people opting out even though the side effects are incredibly rare.”

Bob Swanson, director of the Division of Immunization for the MDCH, said although it was common to have an outbreak in a school setting, the grandparents who attended have a higher probability of not being vaccinated than children.

“What we see with grandparents involved is many have not received the TDAP (an adult vaccine for pertussis)” Swanson said. “It’s a newer vaccine.”

Most children receive the vaccine by following a recommended schedule.

As of right now, only one person if known to have pertussis, and is not a resident of Michigan said James McCurtis, the public information officer for the MDCH

“What were trying to do is protect everyone from actually getting it, those who were exposed to the one child who had it,” McCurtis said.

Swanson said MSU had done a “tremendous” job in handling the mass exposure and working with the MDCH.

“They cooperated with us very closely and they were able to provide us with a list of individuals,” Swanson said.

Cheatham suggested those who had attended the event but have not been contacted as being high risk should contact their doctor.