Calif. Whooping Cough Diagnoses Triple 2013 Rates, DPH Data Show

More than 1,700 cases of whopping cough were reported in California between January and April -- more than three times the number of cases during the same period in 2013, according to state Department of Public Health data released Friday, the AP/Sacramento Bee reports (AP/Sacramento Bee, 5/16).

Details of Outbreak

The outbreak of whooping cough this year has led to 77 hospitalizations, with the majority of cases in children ages three months or younger.

Two infants have died after being diagnosed with the illness -- the first whooping cough deaths in California since 2010.

According to the Contra Costa Times, this year there have been at least:

• 17 reported whooping cough cases in San Mateo County;
• 19 reported cases in Solano County;
• 27 reported cases in San Joaquin County;
• 50 reported cases in Contra Costa County;
• 56 reported cases in Alameda County; and
• 82 reported cases in Santa Clara County (Tsai, Contra Costa Times, 5/16).

DPH Director Ron Chapman said, "The last peak in California was in 2010, and now we are concerned that the recent increase in reported cases suggests that another cyclical peak is beginning" (DPH release, 5/16).