Health

Whooping Cough Cases Continue in Schools

Students and staff at three schools and a Girl Scout camp were potentially exposed to pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, after three children became ill with the highly contagious disease, County Health and Human Services Agency officials said today.

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Students and staff at three schools and a Girl Scout camp were potentially exposed to pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, after three children became ill with the highly contagious disease, County Health and Human Services Agency officials said today.

The three cases boost the year’s total to 394, nearly half of the 810 caseload reported through the end of October for the region in 2010. A record 1,144 cases were reported in San Diego County, including two infant deaths last year. Details on the new cases are listed below.

“While the year is not yet over, we have noted a significant decrease in the number of whooping cough cases compared to 2010,” said Wilma Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., County Public Health Officer. “We attribute this to parents being diligent in getting their children immunized, and the extraordinary immunization efforts made by school districts, county health centers and special clinics.”

Parents can get the Tdap booster shot for their children through their primary care physician. Students who are not covered under a medical insurance plan can obtain the shot from a local retail pharmacy for a fee, or from a County Public Health center. 

A typical case of pertussis starts with a cough and runny nose for one to two weeks, followed by weeks to months of rapid coughing fits that sometimes end with a whooping sound. Fever, if present, is usually mild. The disease is treatable with antibiotics.

For more information about whooping cough and ongoing vaccination clinics, call the HHSA Immunization Branch at (866) 358-2966, or visit www.sdiz.org.

This week’s new pertussis cases where there has been a potential for public exposure are:

  • A 3-year-old who was unimmunized and attends Encinitas Country Day School on Encinitas Boulevard. 
  • A 12-year-old who was overdue for a booster shot and attends Guajome Park Academy in Vista.
  • A 12-year-old who was up-to-date with immunizations and attends Bonita Middle School in the Sweetwater Union High School District and attended the Girl Scout Camp in Julian from Oct. 14-16.