Twelve new cases of pertussis in local school districts have been reported to the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency.
There have been 334 cases of pertussis, also known as whooping cough, reported in the county so far this year, double 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.
“Pediatricians and other providers in San Diego County are noting an increase in pertussis cases,” said Wilma Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., County public health officer. “It’s likely that activity levels will remain elevated in the region so it’s important that everyone is up-to-date on the vaccine series and booster shot.”
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.
All new pertussis cases reported were up-to-date on immunizations except for the one case noted:
· A 12-year-old who attends R. Roger Rowe School in the Rancho Santa Fe School District.
· A 6-year-old who attends Cajon Park School in the Santee School District.
· An 11-year-old who attends Sycamore Canyon Elementary School in the Santee School District.
· An 11-year-old who attends Heritage Elementary School in the Chula Vista Elementary School District.
· A 14-year-old who attends Hillsdale Middle School in the Cajon Valley Union School District.
· An individual at Flying Hills Elementary School in the Cajon Valley Union School District.
· A 15-year-old and a 16-year-old who attend La Jolla Country Day School in LaJolla.
· Two individuals who attend San Onofre Child Development Center at Camp Pendleton.
· An individual at Monarch School in San Diego.
· An unvaccinated individual at Rancho Bernardo Community Presbyterian Church Preschool.
