Rise in Pertussis Cases as Vaccine Mandate Nears
The number of cases of whooping cough, or pertussis, continues to increase in California as state officials prepare for a new law that requires students in grades seven through 12 to receive the pertussis vaccine before entering school in the fall. The state has confirmed 1,189 whooping cough cases during the first quarter of 2011 -- nearly double the number from the same period in 2010 and 10 times the number from first quarter of 2009. Gil Chavez -- epidemiologist for California's Department of Public Health -- said this year's increase could be attributed in part to increased awareness among physicians and health departments.
- "Whooping Cough 'Epidemic' Spurs Drive for Inoculations" (Abram, Los Angeles Daily News, 6/19).