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Pertussis now an epidemic in California
Jul 23, 05:05 PM

By CESAR NUCUM, JR.

SAN FRANCISCO – An intensified campaign for vaccination against pertussis, more commonly known as whopping cough, has been urged by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) as the prevalence of the disease in the state reached epidemic levels.

In a media briefing organized recently by New America Media, California state epidemiologist Dr. Gil Chavez announced that 2010 could be the worst year for pertussis in the state the last 50 years, and that everything should be done to combat the further spread of this disease.

Appearing together with UC Davis pediatrician representing the American Academy of Pediatrics California chapter, Dr. Dean Blumberg, and family medicine physician Dr. Jack Chou representing the California Academy of Family Physician, Chavez reported that as of middle of this year, cases of pertussis have totaled 1,496 cases — a five-fold increase from last year’s number of 258 cases.

So far, there have been five fatalities that included an infant, and one more is being investigated.

Pertussis is easily spread by coughing or sneezing and being in close contact with others.

“We are vigorously working with everyone concerned for an increase in immunization rates in communities, especially since pertussis is very contagious and one of the most common childhood diseases, but which is very much vaccine-preventable,” Chavez emphasized. “Since immunization to the vaccine has been waning over time, we strongly urge for more aggressive use of the pertussis vaccine to protect families particularly the infants.”

Chavez lamented that newborn infants are particularly vulnerable to the disease, because they are not fully immunized until about six months of age. This, he said, amplifies the importance of taking steps to protect them, starting with keeping them away from infected parents, siblings or caregivers.

“To be sure, if you have a cough, stay away from infants,” Chavez advised.

Blumberg couldn’t agree less as he emphasized that compared to other age group, infants are very vulnerable because their airways are so small that when they get pertussis they will just keep on coughing air out, without breathing air in.

“So in the process they basically suffocate, they turn blue and sometimes stop breathing. They end up in a hospital ICU and some even die,” Blumberg explained.

In the face of the grim developments, Chavez pointed out on a positive note that booster vaccine Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) are now widely available for both adolescents and adults, and is considered very critical, because immunity either through vaccination or through natural disease is never permanent unlike before.

Chavez enumerated the following as priority targets for vaccination: children over 7 years old who are not up-to-date and have not been fully immunized, adults over 64 years old, women of child-bearing age (either before, during, or after pregnancy), and people who often come into contact with infants.

Chou welcomed the recommendation of the CDPH that seniors beyond the age of 64 be immunized.

“Adults and adolescents are reservoirs for pertussis as they can spread the disease without them knowing it. That is why the inclusion of the grandparents 64 and above is most welcome,” Chou stressed.

Asked about the seasonality of the disease, Chavez found it unusual that the most cases of pertussis are recorded in the summer months of July, August and September, than during the winter months.

As to geographical distribution of cases, Chavez said that although Marin County in the Bay Area reported the most number of patients statewide, just as it also has the lowest rate of vaccination, the figures are not significant enough to conclude that there is a concentration or confinement of cases in that county or its neighbors .

On fears on the availability of the vaccine, Chavez assured that there is more than enough supply to sustain the vaccination campaign, as the vaccines will be made available to hospitals and community clinics throughout the state.

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