Whooping Cough Cases Continue in San Diego County

San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency officials reported three more cases of pertussis this week where possible public exposure may have occurred, including a 3-year-old who was up-to-date on vaccinations and attends Sanderling Waldorf School in Encinitas. 

(Editor's note: An earlier report from the county indicated that the child involved in the whooping cough case at Sanderling Waldorf School was not vaccinated; however, a representative from the school confirmed the child was vaccinated for pertussis.)

The other two cases included a 3-year-old who was immunized and attends Mission Montessori Preschool in Oceanside and an immunized 11-year-old who attends Monterey Heights Elementary School in the Lemon Grove School District.

“Getting vaccinated is the best defense against pertussis,” said Eric McDonald, M.D., M.P.H., County Deputy Public Health Officer. “Parents should make sure their children are immunized and they should make sure they have had their booster shot, especially if they come into contact with infants.”

There have been 147 confirmed cases of pertussis reported in 2011. The County set a new record with 1,144 cases in 2010.

A typical case of pertussis in children and adults starts with a cough and runny nose for one to two weeks, followed by weeks to months of rapid coughing fits that sometimes end with a whooping sound. Fever, if present, is usually mild. The disease is treatable with antibiotics. 

For more information about whooping cough, please call the HHSA Immunization Branch at (866) 358-2966, or visit sdiz.org.