WA: 2012 Whooping cough outbreaks- newborn dies in Kings Co.

[Emily]

Re: WA: 2012 Whooping cough outbreaks

Re: WA: 2012 Whooping cough outbreaks

Good news that the county with the highest rate of whooping cough may be on the downswing of the peak of the epidemic.

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20120503/NEWS01/702169976

Published: Thursday, May 3, 2012
State steps up efforts against whooping cough
By Sharon Salyer , Herald Writer
[snip]
Snohomish County has been hit unusually hard, recording some of the state's highest rates of whooping cough, also known as pertussis.
[snip]
Dr. Yuan-Po Tu, director of walk-in clinics for The Everett Clinic, said there are signs that the disease, although still widespread, may have peaked in Snohomish County.

In December, 10.6 percent of all tests conducted on clinic patients for whooping cough were positive. That number has declined in every month since then. In April 5.6 percent of the tests for whooping cough were positive.

"There's still a lot of it around," he said. "But it's definitely improving."

On the news tonight, they reported from a vaccination clinic in Darrington in Snohomish County that was referred to as 'ground zero' in the battle. Note that Snohomish County could be ground zero in brewing the whole epidemic:

http://www.nwcn.com/news/health/Whooping-Cough-Epidemic-Protecting-Our-Families-150863025.html

Chelsey lives in Snohomish County, which used to be the only hot spot for whooping cough in our state. Not anymore. The disease has now spread to 27 Washington counties. The hardest hit include Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish, and Jefferson in the Puget Sound region.

We'll see if research proves otherwise, but I do not believe Snohomish County is less vaccinated than other counties without a chronic whooping cough problem. Here is what their PH expert says:

?Probably eight out of 10 cases we report are fully vaccinated,? said Sandi Paciotti, Skagit Co. Health Dept

Paciotti says that's why doctors and health departments are pushing the booster shot.

?If you have been vaccinated, you're likely to have a less severe case. The unvaccinated, I've seen with cases are still coughing at three months,? she said.

That does not seem to fit with the cause of the historical whooping cough problems and current epidemic being solely due to either an ineffective vaccine, or to vaccine avoidance. (There was an enthusiastic crowd at the Darrington reduced cost clinic.)

But what Snohomish County and Darrington in particular is noted for is winter air quality problems due to woodsmoke pollution:

http://www1.pscleanair.org/programs/community/darrington/default.aspx

Darrington

From February 2005 through April 15, 2009, the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency has been and will be assisting the town of Darrington in solving a wintertime air pollution problem caused almost entirely by residential wood heating.

Darrington is nestled in the Cascade foothills in northern Snohomish County, in a visually stunning location that is isolated from other communities. With its roots in the logging industry, many homes are heated with wood. Because the town sits in a deep valley surrounded by mountain peaks, occasional and persistent wintertime inversions trap smoke from residential wood burning, which causes pollution levels to rise....

The air and health in Darrington is reported to have improved in that report, but I noticed this past winter that Darrington still seemed to have significantly higher particulate levels than other areas.

This article reports more about winter air quality in Snohomish county.

 

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: WA: 2012 Whooping cough outbreaks

Re: WA: 2012 Whooping cough outbreaks

Whooping Cough Epidemic Declared In Wash. State
by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

text size A A A SEATTLE May 10, 2012, 06:24 pm ET
SEATTLE (AP) ? Washington state's worst outbreak of whooping cough in decades has prompted health officials to declare an epidemic, seek help from federal experts and urge residents to get vaccinated amid worry that cases of the highly contagious disease could spike much higher.
...
In Washington, about 1,280 cases have been reported in 2012, and officials believe the state could see as many as 3,000 cases by year's end. Health Secretary Mary Selecky declared the epidemic April 3, and since then officials have bought up the vaccine and made it available for free for people who don't have insurance.
...
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=152434754

 

[Shiloh]

Re: WA: 2012 Whooping cough outbreaks

Re: WA: 2012 Whooping cough outbreaks

Source: http://www.krem.com/news/local/Heal...demic-levels-in-Spokane-County-152373305.html

Health Officials: Whooping cough at 'epidemic' levels in Spokane County
by Ashley Korslien & KREM.com
KREM.com
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 4:35 PM
Updated today at 5:42 PM

SPOKANE COUNTY--Whooping cough has reached epidemic levels here in Spokane County.

Health officials say there are currently nine times as many cases compared to this time last year, the worst outbreak in 60 years. In just the last week, the number of whooping cough cases has skyrocketed in the county.

So far this year, 1,484 cases have been reported in Washington. That?s up drastically from the 965 total cases reported statewide in all of 2011. Spokane County is seeing its own epidemic with 34 reported cases...

 

[Shiloh]

Re: WA: 2012 Whooping cough outbreaks

Re: WA: 2012 Whooping cough outbreaks

Source: http://www.kndo.com/story/18598459/whooping-cough-continues-to-spread-through-kittitas-county

Whooping cough continues to spread through Kittitas County
Posted: May 22, 2012 6:51 PM EDT Updated: May 22, 2012 9:24 PM EDT
Aaron Hilf - email


KITTITAS COUNTY, Wash.-- Whooping cough has reached epidemic levels in Washington state this year, and another case was confirmed in Kittitas County this week.

This latest case was diagnosed in a student at Cle Elum Roslyn Elementary School, the second such case in that school this year.

That means there are now 11 confirmed cases of pertussis in the county, with 17 other probable cases.

Earlier this month, there had been over 1,400 cases statewide, compared to just 134 last year.

Locally, Kittitas County has seen some of the highest numbers...

 

[Shiloh]

Re: WA: 2012 Whooping cough outbreaks

Re: WA: 2012 Whooping cough outbreaks

Source: http://shoreline.patch.com/articles/more-cases-of-whooping-cough-diagnosed-in-king-county

More Cases of Whooping Cough Diagnosed in King County
Immunizations urged for children and adults
12:00 am

Pertussis (also called Whooping Cough) continues to increase in King County and Washington State. As of May 10, a total of 237 cases have been reported for King County in 2012 compared to 98 cases for all of 2011. Statewide, about 1,280 cases have been reported compared to 110 cases in the same period last year. Washington State Department of Health officials believe the state could see as many as 3,000 cases by year's end...

 

[Shiloh]

Re: WA: 2012 Whooping cough outbreaks

Re: WA: 2012 Whooping cough outbreaks

Source: http://www.whidbeyexaminer.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=7769

5/23/2012 5:24:00 PM
Whooping cough hits Coupeville
By Elisabeth Murray
Examiner Staff Writer

The number of cases of pertussis, or whooping cough, in Island County has climbed to at least 35.

Six students and one staff member at Coupeville Elementary School are among those who have been infected, according to schools Superintendent Patty Page...

 

[Shiloh]

Re: WA: 2012 Whooping cough outbreaks

Re: WA: 2012 Whooping cough outbreaks

Source: http://www.kimatv.com/news/local/Whooping-cough-epidemic-continues-to-surge-in-Wash-153764725.html

Whooping cough epidemic continues to surge in Wash.
By KOMO Staff Published: May 24, 2012 at 3:43 PM PDT


OLYMPIA, Wash. - Washington state's whooping cough epidemic continues to surge, with 1,738 cases reported so far this year, compared with 146 during the same time last year, officials said Thursday...

...Geographically, Skagit County is by far the hardest hit, with 343 total cases - or 287.5 cases per 100,000 residents.

Snohomish County has the next-highest number of cases - but with a greater population, the rate of disease works out to 40.1 per 100,000 population.

There have been 258 cases in King County - or 13.3 cases per 100,000 - and 245 cases in Pierce County, a rate of 30.1 per 100,000.

Ten counties report no whooping cough cases so far this year. Counties with no reported cases are Asotin, Ferry, Garfield, Klickitat, Lincoln, Pacific, Pend Oreille, Skamania, Wahkiakum and Whitman...

 

[Missouriwatcher]

Re: WA: 2012 Whooping cough outbreaks

Re: WA: 2012 Whooping cough outbreaks

This update summarizes reports of pertussis in persons with 2012 onsets received by local health jurisdictions (LHJs) during weeks 1-20, made visible to Washington State Department of Health (DOH)

There have been a total of 1,738 cases reported statewide through week 20, compared to 146 reported cases in 2011 during the same time period.

The overall incidence rate year to date is 25.8 pertussis cases per 100,000 Washington residents and the rate of disease in infants under one year of age, 128.7 per 100,000, remains higher than rates in all other age groups. This equates to an annualized overall rate of pertussis in Washington residents of 67.1 per 100,000 persons with a rate in infants of 334.7 per 100,000 should this trend continue throughout 2012. One hundred and fourteen infants under one year of age were reported as having whooping cough and twenty-nine of them were hospitalized. Of those hospitalized, twenty-three (79%) were very young (three months of age or younger).
http://www.doh.wa.gov/

 

[Emily]

Re: WA: 2012 Whooping cough outbreaks

Re: WA: 2012 Whooping cough outbreaks

Link between whooping cough outbreak and vaccine storage probed

By KOMO Staff Published: Jun 6, 2012 at 10:17 AM PDT
SEATTLE -- The Centers for Disease Control is investigating a link between improperly stored vaccines, and our state's record whooping cough outbreak.

A new Inspector General's report obtained by ABC News found a shockingly high number of vaccines that were stored at the wrong temperature, or have even expired.

"We found three of four providers were storing the vaccines in temperatures that were either too hot or too cold," said Dwayne Grant, HHS Regional Inspector General.

75 percent of the samples in doctor's offices and clinics checked by federal inspectors -- 45 in all -- had potentially damaged goods in their vaccine refrigerators. One out of four carried expired medicine.

The CDC says the bad vaccines out there have not caused a spike in disease rates, but they are investigating the rare whooping cough outbreak in our state.

"Based on what we know right now, the increase in whooping cough in Washington state is not based on storage and handling," said Dr. Anne Schuchat with the Centers for Disease Control.

However, the CDC admits they just don't know exactly why the whooping cough cases are surging in our area, and they're still investigating the possibility of a link....

As bad as those practices potentially may be, I still hope the CDC looks into the possibility of our air quality being a factor in this situation. It's hard to imagine vaccine storage patterns are radically different in WA from other states.

Tobacco use should be looked at, too, especially in the areas where whooping cough cases surged. Little has been done by the state to educate people about laws and hazards regarding woodsmoke pollution, and also the hazards of tobacco smoke. There is no excuse.

CDC: States make billions from tobacco taxes and lawsuits, but spend little on smoking prevention

 

[Shiloh]

Re: WA: 2012 Whooping cough outbreaks

Re: WA: 2012 Whooping cough outbreaks

Source: http://www.kapsradio.com/kaps-radio...git-county-has-the-highest-rate-of-pertussis/

Skagit County has the highest rate of pertussis

(OLYMPIA)? The Washington State Department of Health says Skagit County now has 433 confirmed cases of whooping cough or pertussis, the most in state by a wide margin.

In new numbers released yesterday, health officials say Skagit County also has the highest rate of pertussis per 100-thousand residents at 363...

 

[Shiloh]

Re: WA: 2012 Whooping cough outbreaks

Re: WA: 2012 Whooping cough outbreaks

Source: http://www.whidbeyexaminer.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=7833

6/7/2012 11:12:00 AM
Coupeville pertussis outbreak grows
By Elisabeth Murray
Examiner Staff Writer

Three more cases of pertussis were reported this past week at Coupeville Elementary School, bringing the total to 10 students and one adult.

Island County and school health officials say that more reports of cases of this highly contagious disease are possible at the 350-student school.

The county Health Department reports at least 42 confirmed and probable cases of pertussis, also called whooping cough, on Whidbey and Camano islands as of June 5. Eight of the local students who contracted the disease had been vaccinated against pertussis, school Nurse Tina Lewis said...

 

[Shiloh]

Re: WA: 2012 Whooping cough outbreaks

Re: WA: 2012 Whooping cough outbreaks

Source: http://www.kimatv.com/news/health/Whooping-cough-numbers-continue-to-skyrocket-159044085.html

Whooping cough numbers continue to skyrocket
By KOMO Staff Published: Jun 14, 2012 at 10:04 AM PDT Last Updated: Jun 14, 2012 at 12:37 PM PDT

SEATTLE -- The number of whooping cough cases in Washington state is still climbing at a rapid rate, and health officials are urging anyone not protected to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

More than 200 additional cases of whooping cough were diagnosed in just the last week, bringing the total number of patients with the disease in Washington this year to more than 2,300...

Officials say that total is more than 14 times the number of diagnosed cases of whooping cough seen in Washington by the same time last year...

 

[Missouriwatcher]

Re: WA: 2012 Whooping cough outbreaks

Re: WA: 2012 Whooping cough outbreaks

Current situation in Washington State
Published every Tuesday afternoon.
Data through 6/9/2012

Pertussis cases reported*
2,325

New cases week ending 6/9
68

Rate per 100,000: 34.5

Age group with highest rate per 100,000 people: Children ages 10 through 13

County with highest rate: Skagit

Counties with no reported pertussis activity: 8

*Only 171 cases of pertussis were reported for the same period in 2011. The total number for the week of 6/9/2012 has been adjusted for cases not previously included on this chart.
http://www.doh.wa.gov/YouandYourFamily/IllnessandDisease/WhoopingCough.aspx

 

[Missouriwatcher]

Re: WA: 2012 Whooping cough outbreaks

Re: WA: 2012 Whooping cough outbreaks

Data through 6/16/2012

Pertussis cases reported
2,520

New cases week ending 6/16
50

Rate per 100,000 people: 37.4

Age group with highest rate per 100,000 people: Children ages 10 through 13

County with highest rate: Skagit

Counties with no reported pertussis activity: 7
http://www.doh.wa.gov/YouandYourFamily/IllnessandDisease/WhoopingCough.aspx

 

[Shiloh]

Re: WA: 2012 Whooping cough outbreaks

Re: WA: 2012 Whooping cough outbreaks

Source: http://kgmi.com/Whooping-Cough-Cases-Surpass-2-500-in-Washington-S/13523442

Posted: Friday, 22 June 2012 5:39AM
Whooping Cough Cases Surpass 2,500 in Washington State
kgmi@kgmi.com

OLYMPIA, Wash. (Metro) -- State health officials say the number of cases of pertussis, also known as whooping cough, has passed the 2500 mark in Washington, 14 times the number a year ago...

 

[Shiloh]

Re: WA: 2012 Whooping cough outbreaks

Re: WA: 2012 Whooping cough outbreaks

Source: http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/a...hooping-cough-epidemic-continues-on-peninsula

Whooping cough epidemic continues on Peninsula
By Rob Ollikainen
Peninsula Daily News

PORT ANGELES ? At least 34 pertussis cases have occurred on the North Olympic Peninsula since January, part of a statewide epidemic that had affected 2,520 as of June 16.

Jefferson County had 22 confirmed cases of pertussis, otherwise known as whooping cough, according to the latest situation report from the state Department of Health.

Clallam County had 12 confirmed cases of the highly contagious bacterial disease that produces severe coughing and can lead to severe complications in infants...

 

[Missouriwatcher]

Re: WA: 2012 Whooping cough outbreaks

Re: WA: 2012 Whooping cough outbreaks

Data through 6/23/2012

Pertussis cases reported
2,647

New cases reported since 6/16
127

Rate per 100,000 people: 39.3

Age group with highest rate per 100,000 people: Children ages 10 through 13

County with highest rate: Skagit

Counties with no reported pertussis activity: 8

Only 187 cases of pertussis were reported for the same period in 2011.
http://www.doh.wa.gov/YouandYourFamily/IllnessandDisease/WhoopingCough.aspx


SKAGIT COUNTY:
Skagit County has confirmed 474 cases
As of 6/14/12:
474 confirmed cases or 397.3 per 100,000 population, continuing to be the highest reported in the State, and climbing.
A total of 2,092 cases reported statewide through 6/02/12 as compared to 164 reported in the same time period last year. There have been 131 babies under one year of age reported as having pertussis, with 30 hospitalizations. Twenty-four of the hospitalized babies (80%) were 3 months of age or younger.
http://www.skagitcounty.net/Common/asp/default.asp?d=Home&c=General&P=main.htm

 

[Shiloh]

Re: WA: 2012 Whooping cough outbreaks

Re: WA: 2012 Whooping cough outbreaks

Source: http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/...cle_7b70d660-c241-11e1-ab41-001a4bcf887a.html

Whooping cough outbreak continues in county
Moses Lake, Ephrata, Quincy, Mattawa cases reported
Posted: Saturday, June 30, 2012 9:00 am

EPHRATA - The pertussis (whooping cough) outbreak continues across the state of Washington and Grant County.

The Grant County Health District is reporting that there have been 2,092 cases statewide so far this year, compared to 64 for the same time frame last year.

Grant County has had 13 cases. That compares with 2-4 cases for the same period in the years before 2010. This year's cases have been reported in Moses Lake, Ephrata, Quincy and Mattawa...

 

[Shiloh]

Re: WA: 2012 Whooping cough outbreaks

Re: WA: 2012 Whooping cough outbreaks

Source: http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20120704/NEWS01/707049856

Published: Wednesday, July 4, 2012, 12:01 a.m.
Providence worker found with whooping cough
By Sharon Salyer, Herald Writer

A health care worker at Providence Regional Medical Center Everett has been diagnosed with whooping cough, part of the ongoing epidemic that has sickened nearly 400 children and adults this year in Snohomish County.

Fifty-three employees have been told that they likely were exposed to the disease, also known as pertussis. Another 300 employees have been notified that they were potentially exposed, said Teresa Wenta, hospital spokeswoman...

 

[Missouriwatcher]

Re: WA: 2012 Whooping cough outbreaks

Re: WA: 2012 Whooping cough outbreaks

Data through 6/23/2012

Pertussis cases reported
2,786

New cases reported since 6/30
139

Rate per 100,000 people: 41.4

Age group with highest rate per 100,000 people: Children ages 10 through 13

County with highest rate: Skagit

Counties with no reported pertussis activity: 7

Only 201 cases of pertussis were reported for the same period in 2011.
http://www.doh.wa.gov/YouandYourFamily/IllnessandDisease/WhoopingCough.aspx