Local schools are reporting 18 new cases of pertussis as whooping cough activity continues to increase in the region, according to the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency.
There have been 284 cases of pertussis reported in the county so far this year, compared to last year’s total of 165 cases. Although the number of cases has increased this year, it is lower than the 1,179 cases reported in 2010 and the 400 cases reported in 2011.
“Much of the pertussis activity we are seeing is in the pre-teen and teen age group,” said Eric McDonald, M.D., M.P.H., County deputy public health officer. “The best defense against pertussis is to be up-to-date on the vaccine series and boosters and to get treated with antibiotics early when symptoms occur.”
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, if present, is usually mild. Antibiotics can lessen the severity of symptoms and prevent the spread of disease to others.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that children get doses of DTaP vaccine at the following ages: 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15 to 18 months and 4 to 6 years. Health officials also recommend that preteens and adults get a Tdap booster. The ultimate goal is to prevent deaths that can result as a complication of pertussis. Infants younger than 1-year-old are especially vulnerable because they do not have the full five-dose series of pertussis vaccinations.
Parents can obtain the vaccine series and the Tdap booster shot for themselves and their children through their primary care physicians. Local retail pharmacies offer vaccinations for a fee, and anyone who is not covered by a medical insurance plan can get the shot from a County Public Health Center at no cost.
For more information about whooping cough and ongoing vaccination clinics, call the HHSA Immunization Branch at (866) 358-2966, or visit www.sdiz.org.
The new pertussis cases reported this week are:
· Three 11-year-olds who were all up-to-date on immunizations and attend Magnolia Science Academy in the San Diego Unified School District.
· A 9-year-old who was up-to-date on immunizations and attends McKinley Elementary School in the San Diego Unified School District.
· Two 13-year-olds and a 14-year-old who were up-to-date on immunizations and attend Oak Crest Middle School in the San Dieguito Union High School District.
· A 12-year-old, two 13-year-olds and a 14-year-old who were all up-to-date on immunizations and attend Earl Warren Middle School in the San Dieguito Union High School District.
· A 10-year-old who was up-to-date on immunizations and attends Vista Grande Elementary School in the Cajon Valley Union School District.
· A 7-year-old who was up-to-date on immunizations and attends Sycamore Ridge Elementary School in the Del Mar Union School District.
· An 11-year-old who was up-to-date on immunizations and attends Martin Luther King, Jr., Middle School in the Oceanside Unified School District.
· A 9-year-old who was up-to-date on immunizations and attends Del Mar Pines School.
· A 5-year-old who was up-to-date on immunizations and attends Kempton Elementary School in the La Mesa-Spring Valley School District.
· A 16-year-old who was up-to-date on immunizations and attends Eastlake High School in the Sweetwater Union High School District.
· A 15-year-old who was up-to-date on immunizations and attends Oasis High School in the Fallbrook Union High School District.
