Whooping cough

Whooping cough is a contagious respiratory infection caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. It is a serious disease for unvaccinated or partially vaccinated infants (aged up to 6 months) and for patients with (impending) respiratory failure.

Transmission occurs through the coughing up of droplets from the patient's pharynx.

Contagiousness is highest at the beginning of the first phase, before the typical coughing fits begin, and lasts up to 3 weeks after these coughing fits have started. The duration of contagiousness is reduced to 5-7 days after starting antibiotics.

The incubation period is usually 7-10 days, never longer than 21 days.

Vaccination is offered to employees who have direct contact with children younger than 6 months. Due to the limited duration of protection, a booster is recommended every 5 years.

There is a risk of infection after unprotected contact with a proven infectious source:

• More than 15 minutes unprotected within 1.5 meters.
• Unprotected intubation/suctioning of patients or other aerosol-generating procedures.
• Being coughed on directly in the face.

Vaccination more than 5 years ago. Whooping cough more than 5 years ago.

Not relevant for adults, except in cases of severe lung disease.

There is a risk of further spread. This can be limited by wearing an IIR surgical mask and practicing good hand hygiene.

See SRI guideline on isolation. Depending on your umc's isolation policy: surgical IIR mouth-nose mask, gloves, apron, or isolation gown. For aerosol-generating procedures: FFP2 mask and splash goggles.

Consult with the company doctor in case of a real risk of infection and if you work in direct care for children younger than 6 months or ICU patients with (imminent) respiratory failure, and also if you are heavily pregnant or have children younger than 6 months at home. In some cases, contact tracing may be initiated, whereby contacts are treated preventively with antibiotics to reduce the risk of further spread among the vulnerable target group.

• Vaccination of employees: whooping cough | advice from the Health Council of the Netherlands
• Whooping cough | LCI guideline RIVM