205 W 5th Ave Ellensburg, WA 98926-2887
Monday - Friday 8 AM - 5 PM
Kittitas (pronounced 'KITT-i-tass') County is located in central Washington State. It spans from the lush forested Cascade Mountains to the upper Yakima River Valley plains and the Columbia River.
Kittitas County, WA - 02/21/2025 - The Kittitas County Public Health Department (KCPHD) is working closely with Ellensburg High School to address a confirmed case of pertussis associated with the school’s cheer team. To prevent further spread, KCPHD recommends that all cheerleaders and associated staff get tested for pertussis, especially if they are experiencing symptoms. Testing is also available and encouraged for individuals without symptoms due to potential exposure.
KCPHD’s goal is to stop the spread of pertussis and protect the health of the team, staff, students, and the community. Any Ellensburg High School cheerleader and associated staff should contact their healthcare provider for a PCR test. Pertussis, also known as whopping cough, is spread from person to person through the air when someone with pertussis coughs or sneezes. An individual with pertussis can be contagious two weeks after the cough starts. An individual may also not show signs of illness for 7 to 10 days after exposure. Symptoms include cough, stuffy nose, fever (less than 104°F), difficulty breathing, and vomiting after coughing fits. Pertussis has been increasing in Washington State. The illness can cause severe cough and can be especially dangerous for infants, according to the Washington State Department of Health (DOH). Whooping Cough | Washington State Department of Health has more information about the symptoms and prevention. Vaccination is the best prevention for pertussis. Vaccinations for pertussis are called Dtap or Tdap, depending on the age of the individual. The vaccine provides protection against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis in one vaccine. Please contact your healthcare provider regarding the vaccination. For vaccinations and testing, please contact your local healthcare provider, or for additional vaccination resources you can contact KCPHD. For additional questions about this news release, please contact KCPHD at 509-962-7515. ###
Kittitas County, from the Cascades to the Columbia, and online at http://www.co.kittitas.wa.us
###
Contact: Lucy Garcia, Public Information Officer, 509-962-7515
