The number of flu and flu-like illnesses is rising in Central New York state data show, but overall, the number of cases is only slightly elevated from a year ago.
Still, that comes as Tompkins County reports outbreaks of both whooping cough and walking pneumonia, so you might want to cover your mouth when you cough. Maybe wear a mask.
It’s early in the influenza season, and the number of confirmed influenza cases remains similar to prior years, but the rate of influenza cases that require hospitalization in Central New York has increased six-fold since Oct. 5 to 0.3 cases per 100,000 population, the state Health Department reports in its weekly Influenza Surveillance Report. On the flip side, the number of reported COVID-19 cases has been dropping since early September.
However, the CDC also reports that flu and other respiratory infections tend to spike around the holidays, and now is the time to prepare for them. It recommends everyone 6 months and older get a flu vaccine and vaccination will play a key role in preventing hospitalizations.
Cortland County Public Health Director Nicole Anjeski said vaccination is the best way to stay healthy, and that includes whooping cough, otherwise known as pertussis.
For babies and children under 7, the Center for Disease Control recommends a five-dose series of the DTaP vaccine, given at the ages of 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15–18 months, and 4 to 6 years.
Older children and adults should get the Tdap vaccine, the Center for Disease Control says.
“Adults who have never received the Tdap vaccine should get one dose, and then a booster dose every 10 years,” Anjeski said. “Pregnant women should get the Tdap vaccine during every pregnancy, in the early part of the third trimester.”
“Influenza activity is increasing slightly among children, but remains low nationally,” the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Friday. It predicts a slightly milder flu season than last year.
Anjeski recommends avoiding close contact with sick people, staying home when sick, covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and washing your hands often.
While you’re at it, you might want to check your other vaccinations against respiratory ailments. Tompkins County Whole Health reports outbreaks of both pertussis, otherwise known as whooping cough, and M. pneumoniae, or walking pneumonia. Both follow national trends, where the number of whooping cough cases in 2024 is five times greater than in 2023. That’s actually a return to pre-COVID levels, because COVID inspired so many efforts to reduce its spread there were effective against flu, whooping cough and other repiratory ailments, the CDC reports.
Pertussis has a vaccine available, part of the Tdap series typically administered to adolescents around the age of 11. The vaccination weakens after several years and the CDC doesn’t have a recommendation for a booster against pertussis, specifically, but it does recommend a booster every 10 years for tetanus, which is part of the Tdap vaccine.
Pertussis cases are on the rise nationally as well as in Tompkins County, reports Tompkins County Whole Health, the county’s public health department. Tompkins County has had 13 cases since January, up from none in the same period last year. Of the 13 cases, seven are lab-confirmed, and six cases are probable.
Walking pneumonia isn’t tracked the same way – the CDC identifies them by reviewing hospital discharge notes. The M. pneumoniae discharge diagnosis data from March 31 through October 5, 2024, show an increase among all age groups across the United States, peaking in August, and remaining high. The increase was notably highest among children.
“Both of these diseases spread by sending droplets through the air when we cough and sneeze, just like influenza and COVID,” said Dr. William Klepack, Tompkins County Whole Health’s medical director. “If you seem to be getting sick, wearing a mask can help protect others. Staying home when sick, in addition to the advice above, also helps protect others. We are at greatest risk of respiratory infections during fall and winter.”
Wash your hands, too, and cover your coughs and sneezes. And it helps to recognize the symptoms.
Pertussis: It can begin with cold-like symptoms such as fever and headache, but includes a slowly worsening cough that can become severe and take weeks or months to recover from. Whooping cough is highly contagious for up to two weeks after coughing begins.
Whooping cough is treated by the use of antibiotics, and preventive antibiotics may be advisable for people who have been exposed to whooping cough. However, vaccination is the best protection, Tompkins County Whole Health suggests. Infants and children through age 6 should receive the DTaP vaccine, and preteens should receive the Tdap vaccine. In New York, vaccination is required for attendance at registered daycares and public schools.
Walking pneumonia: Walking pneumonia is also a bacterial respiratory illness. It affects the throat, windpipe and lungs, and symptoms can range from mild to severe. In its mild form persons may recover without medical professional help. Mild symptoms mimic those of chest colds, including feeling tired, having a fever or chills, headache, sore throat and worsening cough. Younger children may also experience diarrhea, vomiting, sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, watery eyes and wheezing.
Severe symptoms require medical help and include shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, asthma-like symptoms or worsening symptoms of asthma including increased asthma attacks, skin rashes, kidney problems, and encephalitis or swelling of the brain. Antibiotics may be prescribed if needed.
Walking pneumonia has no vaccine, so preventive measures to and reduce exposure are best, Tompkins County Whole Health advises.
Staff Reporter Lily Byrne contributed to this report.
