Plagues, Pestilences and Diseases
California's whooping cough epidemic grows
By Bobby Caina Calvan
Published: Monday, Jul. 19, 2010 - 12:37 pm
Last Modified: Monday, Jul. 19, 2010 - 4:54 pm
State health officials today urged more Californians to get vaccinated
for whooping cough, as the disease grew to epidemic proportions.
To date, about 1,500 people in California have become infected with
pertussis -- a five-fold increase from the same time last year. Five
infants, all under 3 months old, have died from the disease, and one
additional case is under investigation by the California Department of
Public Health.
"We are facing what could be the worst year for pertussis that this
state has seen in more than 50 years," said Dr. Gilberto Chavez, the
agency's chief of the state's Center for Infectious Diseases.
Health officials are recommending more people get vaccinated, including
anyone 7 years and older. In particular, women of childbearing age --
before a planned pregnancy, during gestation or immediately after
childbirth -- should get immunized.
Those over 64, especially grandparents caring for infants, should also
get the vaccine -- as should other people who have contact with infants
or pregnant women.
While adults usually recover quickly from whooping cough, infants,
because of their delicate airways, have more difficulty surviving an
infection.
Read more:
http://www.sacbee.com/2010/07/19/2900460/vaccine-urged-as-whooping-cough.html#ixzz0uIJNRK1G