Whooping Cough Cases Up In Contra Costa County

Health officials in Contra Costa County are warning of a particularly high rate of whooping cough infections this year.

"We're seeing more than 10 times the number of cases we had in
2009 and are on pace to pass last year's record," said Erika Jenssen, an
immunization coordinator with Contra Costa Health Services, in a
statement.

Whooping cough, or pertussis, is a highly contagious respiratory
illness and can be deadly for infants.

Last year, a record-high 205 cases were reported in the county.
This year, 78 cases have been reported so far, three of which involved
infants who had to be hospitalized, health officials said.

Health officials are advising the public to get vaccinated and
stay home if sick.

The vaccine is widely available, and health officials urge residents to contact their regular health care providers for immunizations.

Free drop-in immunization clinics are also available. Visit www.cchealth.org for times and locations.

A new state law requires that students in seventh through 12th grades show proof that they have received a whooping cough vaccination before beginning classes this fall, health officials said.

"It's a safety measure to ensure kids don't bring illnesses home from school and spread them to their families, particularly infants," Jenssen said.

Bay City News Service