California Whooping Cough Epidemic
California is facing what could be the state’s biggest outbreak of pertussis since 1958, according to its top public health official.
Dr. Mark Horton, director of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) said, “Whooping cough is now an epidemic in California,” “Children should be vaccinated against the disease and parents, family members and caregivers of infants need a booster shot.”
As of June 15, California had recorded 910 cases of pertussis, a four-fold increase from the same period last year when 219 cases were recorded. Five infants — all under three months of age — have died from the disease this year. In addition, 600 more possible cases of pertussis are being investigated by local health departments.
Pertussis is cyclical. Cases tend to peak every two to five years. In 2005, California recorded 3,182 cases and eight deaths.
source:CDPH
