Health

Pertussis Continues at High Rates

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Nine new cases of pertussis in local schools and daycares have been reported to the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency.

This brings the number of cases of pertussis, also known as whooping cough, reported in the county in 2013 to 374. Cases are reported from the date of symptom onset, so last year’s total may still increase. So far, there are four confirmed cases in 2014. There were 165 cases reported in 2012 and a recent high of 1,179 cases in 2010.

“The increase in pertussis cases shows no signs of slowing down,” said Wilma Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., County public health officer. “It’s important that parents work with their health care providers to ensure that everyone in their family 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. Deaths can result as a complication of pertussis.

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. 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 in schools or daycares were up-to-date for their age on immunizations:

· An individual at San Marcos KinderCare.

· An individual at the Child Development Center, 32nd St. Station Naval Base.  

· An individual at Daly Academy Elementary School in the Chula Vista Elementary School District.

· A 10-year-old at St. Martin of Tours Academy in La Mesa.

· An 11-year-old at Black Mountain Middle School in the Poway Unified School District.

· A 13-year-old at Roosevelt Middle School in the Vista Unified School District.    

· A 13-year-old at Millennial Tech Middle School in the San Diego Unified School District.

· A 16-year-old at St Augustine High School in North Park.

· A 17-year-old at Fallbrook High School in the Fallbrook Union High School District.

Tom Christensen is a communications specialist with the County of San Diego Communications Office. Contact