Every donation counts!
Posted on 07/19/2014 5:03:10 PM PDT by nickcarraway
If the rate stays on track, 2014 could break 2010's record high of 1,179 cases
San Diego County has seen more than double the number of pertussis cases this year compared to last, according to the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA).
Nine new instances of whooping cough, which may have left others exposed, brings the county’s total to 895.
Just 120 cases were reported by this time last year, and for the whole of 2013, 431 cases were confirmed.
“The county and state are experiencing an epidemic of pertussis,” said Wilma J. Wooten, M.D., a county public health officer.
She said infants are at the greatest risk for severe illness or death from the disease.
According to the HHSA, the new cases were reported at the following locations, and all but two patients were up-to-date on their immunizations:
A 7-year-old at Mason Elementary School
An 8-year-old at Dailard Elementary School
A 9-year-old who was not up-to-date with immunizations at Indian Hills Camp in Jamul A 10-year-old at Normal Heights Elementary School
An 11-year-old who was not up-to-date with immunizations at Lincoln Acres School
A 14-year-old at Hillsdale Middle School
A 15-year-old at San Ysidro High School
A 16-year-old at Altus Charter School of San Diego and El Cajon Learning Center A person at Boys and Girls Clubs of Oceanside
Pertussis begins with a cough and runny nose that progresses after one or two weeks to rapid coughing fits with the characteristic whooping sound.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that all children get the DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis) vaccine at 2 months old, 4 months old, 6 months old, 15 to 18 months old and 4 to 6 years old.
Students entering seventh grade are required to show proof they got the Tdap booster shot, and experts say all pregnant women should get the booster in their third trimester.
I wonder if was imported?
HODOR!
Ethnicity of the Children Infected?
Oh sorry, that’s Racist or something.
Had whooping cough a few years back.
Doctor said it was making a comeback in the US due to illegal immigrants coming into the country from Mexico and Central America.
It is really bad and it takes a long time to get rid of. I almost coughed my lungs out and actually passed out from coughing
His Arrogance will take immediate action with the CDC leading the charge WHEN he hears about it on the evening news; however, the evening news has been warned off that this is not a “approved” news item.
My wife just returned from San Diego and just jot an email that one of the kids at a 4 July party she attended now has whooping cough. The incubation period is a long time..so some people walk around contagious without knowing it. Everybody at the party is now getting booster shots. The girl who was infected attends public school.
We know read that the shots are only about 90% effective.
I caught it from my brothers when I was 6 months old. The doctor came to the house and said that the boys were doing well and would be all right. Then he heard me cough. He said, “But the baby will die.”
I asked my Mother how they kept me alive. She said that she and my Dad stayed up all night clearing my throat each time I coughed.
Big Whoop
All adults should get the TDAP booster shot and all children should get DTAP just to ensure herd immunity is kept.
We can wipe out this disease if we just try hard enough. The immigrants are making it harder but there’s almost no excuse for why every American isn’t immunized.
Even at the family practice I use here in Maine, there is a sign that says, “Pertussis is back!”
We’re all border states now.
“doctors perplexed”
IOW, the shot doesn't work. Just wait until all those illegals start school next month.
From the article, 2 of the 895 weren't up to date on their shots. There was another article on FR last month reporting about the same. That's a whole lot less than 90% effective.
Most of it was.
Most anyone that hasn't had a DTaP vaccine or booster in the past 5 years should be getting one.
There are two reasons it is making a comeback. The first is many parents are not giving their children vaccinations because of silly antivaccine drivel. Second is the imported cases. They both lead to decreased herd immunity.
Seems like a lot of these illnesses are popping up in San Diego. Hmmmmm...I wonder why?
I’m wondering if adults should now get boosters for everything. All I have had a shot for in my adult years is tetanus. I may have gotten some boosters when I was pregnant in the 90’s but don’t remember.
I talked to my doctor about it. The ones they said they could give me are MMR, TDAP, Varicella, and I’m drawing a blank on the other one. I took the TDAP to protect me from tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. I might get the MMR booster just to hedge my bets.
I have a young toddler. So I really want to ensure I’m a firewall when it comes to passing on pathogens.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.