The pertussis (whooping cough) outbreak in California has been all over the news for the past several weeks. There have been 1,500 confirmed pertussis cases in California this year thus far (as of mid July) and seven deaths, gearing this season up to be the worst in 50 years as per state officials. Now, the Center for Infectious Disease Research & Policy, is reporting that pertussis cases are on the rise in other states as well.
Currently, Idaho, Texas, South Carolina, Arizona, Wisconsin, Oregon, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Iowa and upstate New York are reporting a rise in petussis cases and will likely exceed the number of cases reported last year. As of July, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) reported 7,342 cases nationwide, with pertussis season still in full swing until the middle of fall. The CDC reported 8,295 known cases for the 2009 season.
Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, presents initially with simple cold or flu-like symptoms. For adults and teens, the symptoms may never progress further and they may not even know they’ve been infected. For infants and young children, however, the disease can be deadly, quickly progressing to a harsh cough that sounds like a whoop. Coughing fits, making it extremely difficult to breathe, can last for months.
For more information about pertussis online, visit Pertussis (Whooping Cough) What You Need To Know (CDC)
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Comments
I didn't think people got whooping cough anymore - great reporting on this
I wonder why such an increase in these cases. We have reported cases here in Michigan.
Good report Kimberly...Not altogether surprising though. There seems to be increases in whooping cough outbreaks about every 3-5 years. Last time pertussis was epidemic in the US...2005.
Interesting - I thought this was a disease of the past. Thanks for the info!
I wonder if it has to do with not keeping up with the DTap or Tdap vaccine series'. There is still the controversy surrounding vaccines "causing" autism even though that has been proven incorrect.
The current whooping cough outbreak in California is being fueled by children who have not been vaccinated because their parents believe vaccines are not safe. Another reason that the outbreak has become so widespread is because adults have not kept up with their vaccinations. The vaccine to prevent whooping cough only lasts 7-10 years. And finally, the third reason is that whooping cough acts only like a bad upper respiratory infection in older children and adults. When we have upper respiratory infections (colds) we don't stay home. We go to the grocery store, to work and to school, and to the mall where we expose others.
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