Whooping Cough Cases Reported

San Andreas, CA– Whooping cough cases in Calaveras County continue to be a growing concern.

According to the Calaveras County Public Health Department, three cases of whooping cough have already been reported in 2011.

The cases include a two month old infant in the Angels Camp area who has been hospitalized and two school aged youth in the Valley Springs/Burson area.

County Health Officer Dean Kelaita says that whooping cough is a very serious disease for young infants who may require hospitalization and in some cases results in death. There were ten infant deaths from whooping cough in California last year. In Calaveras County, there were nine reported cases of whooping cough in 2010.

“The continued occurrence of pertussis (whooping cough) in Calaveras County during 2011 is a call to parents to get their kids vaccinated,” said Kelaita.

In response to record levels of whooping cough in California, a new school immunization law was passed recently for secondary school students. All students entering 7th-12th grades in the 2011-2012 school year must have a whooping cough vaccine booster before starting school. The booster is needed to continue protection for youth who can spread the infection to infants and others at higher risk for complications.

The Calaveras County Public Health Department offers vaccinations for infants, children, youth and adults at community immunization clinics.

Information about whooping cough and the clinic schedule is available at www.calaveraspublichealth.com  or by calling the Public Health Department at 754-6460.

Written by tina.falco@mlode.com