Whooping Cough continues to spread

The whooping cough epidemic that has hit California continues to spread — with 1,496 confirmed cases reported — and California health authorities are broadening their recommendations for the vaccines and urging Californians to take the simple step of getting vaccinated to prevent pertussis.

“We are facing what could be the worst year for pertussis that this state has seen in more than 50 years,” said California Department Public Health Chief of the Center for Infectious Disease Dr. Gilberto Chávez, who is also the state’s epidemiologist.

In addition to the childhood pertussis immunizations, CDPH now recommends an adolescent-adult pertussis booster vaccine (Tdap) for anyone 7 years of age 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 to any person who has contact with pregnant women or infants.

“Considering that immunity from pertussis vaccine or disease wears off and that most adults are susceptible to pertussis, now is the time for Californians to get immunized to protect themselves and their families,” said Chávez. “In particular, all family members and caregivers of infants should get the booster vaccine.”

In Tulare County, the number has climbed to 52 confirmed cases — 11 more than reported two weeks ago. Seven of them, including an additional two, are from the Porterville-Lindsay area, said Jeremy Kempf, a Tulare County Health and Human Services public health nurse.
At Kaweah Delta Lindsay Health Clinic, physician assistant Phil Myers said the clinic has been seeing an influx of whooping cough symptoms in patients of all ages.

Pertussis has reached an epidemic level in California with 1,496 cases of pertussis reported, a five-fold increase from the same period last year when 258 cases were reported. In addition, approximately 700 possible cases of pertussis remain under investigation.

Five infants, all under 3 months of age, have died from pertussis this year. Unimmunized or incompletely immunized young infants are particularly vulnerable.

The pertussis vaccination series can begin when an infant is 6 weeks of age, but the infants are not adequately protected by the vaccination until the initial series of three shots is complete. 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. For new mothers and anyone with close contact with infants, CDPH is providing Tdap vaccine at birthing hospitals, community health centers, Native American health centers and local health departments.