Health Alerts

OUTBREAK: WHOOPING COUGH (PERTUSSIS) ON TRACK TO REACH 50-YEAR HIGH

California is on pace to suffer the most illnesses and deaths due to pertussis, also known as whooping cough, in 50 years. More than 1,500 cases of pertussis have been recorded in California as of July 21, a five-fold increase from the same period last year. Six infants (three from Los Angeles County) — all under three months of age — have already died from the disease this year.

In response to the epidemic levels of pertussis, health experts at the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) have issued a new vaccination recommendation, broadening recommendations for immunizing against pertussis and reiterating the importance of getting vaccinated.

Resource: http://www.cdph.ca.gov/Pages/PH10-048.aspx

In addition to the typical series of childhood pertussis immunizations, CDPH now recommends an adolescent-adult pertussis booster vaccine (Tdap) for:
• anyone 7 years and older who is not fully immunized, including those who are more than 64 years old,
• women of childbearing age, before, during, or immediately after pregnancy, and
• other people who have contact with pregnant women or infants.

A typical case of pertussis 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.

For more information on pertussis and vaccination, visit:
http://www.cdph.ca.gov/HealthInfo/discond/Pages/Pertussis.aspx
http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/docs/pertussis.pdf
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/pertussis/default.htm

Those who do not have a regular healthcare provider or insurance coverage for vaccines may dial 2-1-1 or visit www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/ip for referrals to providers and community sites offering immunizations free or at reduced rates.