Officials Report Increase in Cases of Whooping Cough Across California
California has reported five times as many cases of pertussis, or whooping cough, this year compared with the same period in 2009, according to the state Department of Public Health, the Sacramento Bee reports (Peyton Dahlberg, Sacramento Bee, 7/8).
There have been 1,337 cases of whooping cough during the first six months of 2010, and another 700 cases are under investigation, according to DPH spokesperson Ken August.
Epidemic Declared in June
Last month, California officials declared an epidemic of whooping cough in the state. At the time, there were 910 reported cases of whooping cough, and 600 remained under investigation (Tayefe Mohajer, AP/Ventura County Star, 7/8).
Disease Continues To Spread
In Orange County, the number of whooping cough cases has doubled since the state declared an epidemic. State officials said that California could face its worst year of the highly contagious disease in half a century (Perkes, Orange County Register, 7/8).
However, August noted that the latest figures include cases that are months-old and that the numbers might not reflect a new surge in infections. He added that infections are likely to peak in August and early September (Ventura County Star, 7/8). This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.