Whooping cough incidence lower in Merced County than most of state
The California Department of Public Health issued a warning reminding parents about the continued dangers of pertussis, or whooping cough.
The disease has caused one infant death and at least 126 infant hospitalizations in California this year, the department announced Monday.
In Merced County, only six cases of whooping cough had been reported as of July 28, according to state data.
The Merced County Department of Public Health said an additional case has been reported since the state report’s close-off date, bringing the total in the county to seven. That’s a rate of 2.3 cases per 100,000 people. This is what the state calls “low incidence,” especially taking into consideration the county’s 2010 incidence rate of 51.2 per 100,000 people.
2010 saw significant spikes in whooping cough reports statewide, according to records.
Neighboring counties, such as Stanislaus, Santa Clara and Fresno, reported a “below statewide average” incidence rate so far this year. Mariposa has not reported any cases, according to state numbers.
Humboldt County fared the poorest with an incidence rate of 41.5 per 100,000 people.
We don’t have the problem of some other counties where there’s a movement away from vaccines for children
director at Merced County Department of Public Health
Kathleen Grassi, director of Merced County Public Health, said she is not surprised Merced County’s pertussis incidence rate is so low. Generally, the county tends to have high immunization rates, she said.
“We do well in regards to getting our kids vaccinated,” Grassi said.
Communication between providers and patients also plays a role. Grassi said providers in the area are usually good about following up with patients when it’s time for shots.
The state health department urges expectant mothers to get a pertussis vaccine, called Tdap because it covers tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis. Prenatal vaccination, usually in the last trimester of each pregnancy, can help protect newborn children until they are old enough to receive their own vaccination against pertussis, state health officials said in a news release.
CDPH Director Dr. Karen Smith said vaccinated mothers pass protective antibodies to their infants during pregnancy. “Right now, it’s estimated that fewer than half of all pregnant women in California are vaccinated against whooping cough,” Smith said in the news release. “We need to increase that number to help improve the health of our children and of our communities.”
Tdap vaccination is also a requirement for seventh-graders.
According to the CDPH, whooping cough continues to spread at above-normal levels. California saw an epidemic in 2014, when reported disease rates were the highest since the 1950s. Disease rates and risks of hospitalization and death are highest for infants under the age of 1.
Pertussis can cause a persistent cough that can cause vomiting or a “whooping” breath.
State health officials said symptoms of pertussis vary widely by age and vaccination history. Young infants, for example, may not appear to cough. Instead, they may have difficulty breathing and have episodes in which they stop breathing, or their faces turn purple.
This story was originally published August 3, 2015 at 4:36 PM with the headline "Whooping cough incidence lower in Merced County than most of state."