Whooping cough exposure reported during MSU event

An undiagnosed case of pertussis, or whooping cough, might have been exposed to the 900 people who attended Grandparents University at MSU from June 29 to July 1.

The Michigan Department of Community Health, or MDCH, identified 20 individuals Friday who attended the event who are at a high risk for contracting pertussis.

Marcus Cheatham, the assistant deputy health officer for the Ingham County Health Department, said the majority of the 20 people diagnosed have had immunizations, and those who did not were recommended to see their doctor immediately.

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.

Cheatham said outbreaks of pertussis are becoming common and can happen anywhere. The best protection against contracting pertussis is to be vaccinated, he said.

Bob Swanson, director of the Division of Immunization for the MDCH, said MSU has done a “tremendous” job in handling the mass exposure and working with the MDCH to limit the spread of the illness.

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