Whooping cough cases soar in Alameda Co.
ALAMEDA COUNTY, Calif. (KTVU) - Health officials are warning the public that whooping cough cases are soaring in Alameda County.
According to the Alameda County Public Health Department, whooping cough is a very contagious disease of the lungs and respiratory system caused by bacteria.
In Alameda County, from January through May 2018, there were 180 pertussis cases compared to 40 cases during the same months in 2017. According to the Alameda County Public Health Department, this year’s case counts are significantly higher than during the same time period in past epidemic years 2014 and 2010. Over 60% of cases are among teenagers.
It's spread by wet droplets when someone who has the disease coughs, sneezes or talks. People with whooping cough are contagious from the beginning - when they get a runny nose - until three weeks after their cough starts.
“Infants less than 6 months old are the most vulnerable to severe whooping cough, including hospitalizations or death. We want everyone to know the importance of protecting babies at risk for serious complications,” remarked Alameda County Deputy Health Officer and Director of Communicable Disease Control & Prevention, Erica Pan, MD.
Early symptoms of pertussis are those of a cold: runny nose, low or no fever, mild cough. After 1-2 weeks there may be vomiting, breathing problems, extreme fatigue, and a whooping sound. For babies, pertussis can cause gasping or gagging, seizures, or breathing may temporarily stop. Coughing fits due to pertussis infection can last for up to 10 weeks or more.
Health officials advise people - especially those at highest risk including infants and pregnant women - to get vaccinated