Infectious Disease on the Rise

By Addison Speck, Reporter

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By James Steward

Story Created: Jul 12, 2011 at 8:07 PM CDT

Story Updated: Jul 12, 2011 at 10:32 PM CDT

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – Infectious diseases are on the rise in Iowa. According to an Iowa Department of Health report, more than 60,000 diseases were reported in 2010. That’s compared to 53,000 the year before, and 50,000 in 2008. Whooping cough is one disease that significantly increased. The disease jumped 229 percent last year, compared to the three year average.

According to the report 705 cases of Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, were reported. Linn County Public Health Nurse Diane Steahle said the county had an increase as well. “In 2010, we had 97 cases which is an increase from 2009 when we had eight cases,” Steahle said.

Steahle said so far this year there have been 15 reported cases in Linn County - a number she expects will probably increase.

“We might see another spike in the fall when school starts because that’s when people start getting together with Pertussis and start spreading it around schools,” Steahle said.

Julie Jensen is the Executive Director of Student Services in Linn Mar School District. She says that despite the increase in 2010, most students steered clear of the disease.

“I would say we did not see an influx in absences. We’re thinking that’s because of a lot of the preventative work that were hopefully doing,” Jensen said.

In November the school district was notified by Linn County Public Health that whooping cough cases were on the rise. They then offered free vaccines for middle school students, along with sending parents and staff letters about the issue.

“We don’t do the diagnosis, if there’s symptoms were going to be calling home and saying this is something you might want to be thinking about because it’s in the area,” Jensen said.

Jensen said the school also puts up posters around the school reminding students how to stay healthy. “We keep posters everywhere that show safe measures for when you have a cold, flu, or cough. It shows proper ways to cover your mouth,” Jensen said.

But Steahle says students shouldn’t be the only ones taking precautions. “There is a vaccine that’s relatively new, that adults can receive,” Steahle said. She said it’s important for parents, teachers, and daycare providers to be immunized because they can also spread the disease.

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