Evidence for transmission of pertussis in schools, Massachusetts, 1996: epidemiologic data supported by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis studies.
In 1996, 18 of 20 pertussis outbreaks reported in Massachusetts occurred in schools. Pertussis surveillance data were reviewed and a retrospective cohort study was conducted in a high school that experienced an outbreak. Bordetella pertussis isolates from 9 school cases and from 58 cases statewide were examined by use of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Statewide incidence rates were highest among children aged <1 year, 10-14 years, and 15-19 years (106, 117, and 104 cases per 100,000, respectively). Among 34 confirmed and 20 probable cases at the school, 61% had cough onset within 8 weeks of school opening. Five different PFGE types were identified among the 58 B. pertussis isolates from throughout the state. All 9 isolates from the affected high school were the same PFGE type. School-aged children may play an important role in pertussis epidemics. Consideration should be given to use of acellular pertussis vaccines among school-aged children.
Brennan
M
M
Child Vaccine Preventable Diseases Branch, Epidemiology and Surveillance Division, National Immunization Program, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Strebel
P
P
George
H
H
Yih
W K
WK
Tachdjian
R
R
Lett
S M
SM
Cassiday
P
P
Sanden
G
G
Wharton
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001886:Bordetella pertussis / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D016521:Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008404:Massachusetts / Q000453:epidemiology; D017720:Molecular Epidemiology; D010507:Periodicity; D012574:Schools; D014917:Whooping Cough / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission