A respiratory illness forced the cancelation of a college football game Saturday, and it wasn’t COVID-19. A whooping cough outbreak amongst Portland State players led team doctors to call off the Vikings’ game versus South Dakota.
The illness, formally known as pertussis, spread through the team Thursday, according to a Portland State statement, exposing many team members. The decision to cancel Saturday’s game in Portland was jointly made by both programs.
Today’s game with South Dakota has been canceled. Please read the statement at https://t.co/odeOGfSXTi https://t.co/Gc4ydWTu0f
— Portland State Football (@psuviksFB) September 14, 2024
“It was determined by Portland State that the game would not be played in the interest of the health of the student-athletes,” the Vikings statement read. “It should be noted that no players on the Viking team are seriously ill at this time.”
Whooping cough has also been called the 100-day cough for the extended duration of the illness. Symptoms can include coughing fits, fatigue and labored breathing. Fractured ribs from intense high-pitched coughs, or “whoops,” have occurred.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Those who get these coughing fits say it’s the worst cough of their lives.”
CDC data shows cases of whooping cough have spiked nationwide in recent weeks.
“Preliminary data show that more than four times as many cases have been reported as of week 33, reported on August 17, 2024, compared to the same time in 2023,” the CDC said. “The number of reported cases this year is higher than what was seen at the same time in 2019, prior to the pandemic.”
Portland State entered Saturday 0-2 on the season and is scheduled to visit Boise State on Sep. 21. South Dakota is 1-1 coming off a loss at Wisconsin last week.
In a statement Saturday, Boise State said it is monitoring the situation.
“We are in communication with Portland State’s administration and will remain so as we continue to monitor the situation as it pertains to next Saturday’s game,” the school said. “Our utmost priority and concern are for the health and safety of everyone involved.”
(Photo: Brian Murphy / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
