Whooping Cough Declared an Epidemic in California

[Ronan Kelly]

Whooping Cough Declared an Epidemic in California
Updated 4:16 PM PDT, Wed, Jun 23, 2010


AP The number of cases of whooping cough is on the rise in Los Angeles and Orange counties and statewide, prompting health officials Wednesday declared the disease an epidemic in California.

There have been 148 confirmed cases of whooping cough in Los Angeles County this year, and two babies have died from the respiratory disease, said Dr. Jonathan Fielding, the county's director of public health.

"That number is extremely elevated, and we are concerned," Fielding said.

Last year, he said, "a few dozen" cases were reported.
continues at; http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/health/Whooping-Cough-Los-Angeles-97020194.html

 

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: Whooping Cough Declared an Epidemic in California

WHOOPING COUGH EPIDEMIC MAY BE WORST IN 50 YEARS
Date: 6/23/2010

Number: 10-041

Contact: Al Lundeen (916) 440-7259

SACRAMENTO


Urging Californians to get vaccinated now, Dr. Mark Horton, director of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), warned today that the state is on pace to suffer the most illnesses and deaths due to pertussis, also known as whooping cough, in 50 years.

?Whooping cough is now an epidemic in California,? Horton said. ?Children should be vaccinated against the disease and parents, family members and caregivers of infants need a booster shot.?

As of June 15, California had recorded 910 cases of pertussis, a four-fold increase from the same period last year when 219 cases were recorded. Five infants ? all under three months of age ? have died from the disease this year. In addition, 600 more possible cases of pertussis are being investigated by local health departments.

Pertussis is cyclical. Cases tend to peak every two to five years. In 2005, California recorded 3,182 cases and eight deaths.

Pertussis is a highly contagious disease. Unimmunized or incompletely immunized young infants are particularly vulnerable. Since 1998, more than 80 percent of the infants in California who have died from pertussis have been Hispanic.

The pertussis vaccine is safe for children and adults. Pertussis vaccination begins at two months of age, but young infants are not adequately protected until the initial series of three shots is complete at 6 months of age. The series of shots that most children receive wears off by the time they finish middle school. Neither vaccination nor illness from pertussis provides lifetime immunity.

Pregnant women may be vaccinated against pertussis before pregnancy, during pregnancy or after giving birth. Fathers may be vaccinated at any time, but preferably before the birth of their baby. CDPH encourages birthing hospitals to implement policies to vaccinate new mothers and fathers before sending newborns home. CDPH is providing vaccine free of charge to hospitals.

Others who may have contact with infants, including family members, healthcare workers, and childcare workers, should also be vaccinated. Individuals should contact their regular health care provider or local health department to inquire about pertussis vaccination.

A typical case of pertussis in children and adults starts with a cough and runny nose for one-to-two weeks, followed by weeks to months of rapid coughing fits that sometimes end with a whooping sound. Fever is rare.
http://www.cdph.ca.gov/Pages/NR10-041.aspx