Amador County – Amador County Public Health announced Friday that it had confirmed the diagnosis of 3 separate cases of pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, in 3 unimmunized children in Amador County. Amador County Public Health Officer Dr. Robert Hartmann urged awareness and prevention in Amador County due to a significant rise in illness in California due to whooping cough. Hartmann said: “The number of whooping cough cases reported this year is 7 times greater than last year in the state,” and the illness has been linked to 7 deaths statewide. He said: “All 7 deaths reported in California were infants under 3 months old.” Pediatrician Doctor David J. Stone offered “a reminder to the community on how important it is to get immunized against a potentially potent lethal germ.” Hartmann said pertussis is the leading vaccine-preventable disease. Whooping cough is an illness that is highly contagious, particularly to infants. Public Health said the illness “typically starts with a cough and runny nose for 1 to 2 weeks, followed by weeks to months of rapid coughing sometimes ending with a whooping sound.” Unimmunized or incompletely immunized young infants are especially vulnerable. Hartmann said: “Sadly, illness in this age group frequently leads to hospitalization and can be fatal.” He said “because pertussis vaccination does not begin until 2 months of age and infants are not fully immune until after 6 months, the only way to protect young infants is to do everything we can to minimize their exposure. This means ensuring their parents and caregivers are immunized.” Vaccinating parents and caregivers for pertussis before or at the birth of the child is the most important way to protect infants. Because vaccination does not provide lifelong immunity, in addition to the five doses of vaccine prior to kindergarten, a booster dose is recommended between 11 and 18 years of age, and for all who may have close contact with infants. Pregnant women may be vaccinated before or during pregnancy or after giving birth. Fathers may also be vaccinated at any time, but preferably before the birth of their baby. The best prevention against this disease is vaccination. A free “Tdap” (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccine clinic is scheduled for 2-6 p.m. Thursday, August 26 at the Health and Human Services Building in Sutter Creek for people 17 years old or older. A parent or guardian must be present with minors under age 18. For other regularly scheduled immunization clinics, call Amador Public Health Immunization Line at 223-6697. For Spanish, call 223-6642. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Monday, 16 August 2010 06:26
3 Cases of Whooping Cough Confirmed in Amador County
Amador County – Amador County Public Health announced Friday that it had confirmed the diagnosis of 3 separate cases of pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, in 3 unimmunized children in Amador County. Amador County Public Health Officer Dr. Robert Hartmann urged awareness and prevention in Amador County due to a significant rise in illness in California due to whooping cough. Hartmann said: “The number of whooping cough cases reported this year is 7 times greater than last year in the state,” and the illness has been linked to 7 deaths statewide. He said: “All 7 deaths reported in California were infants under 3 months old.” Pediatrician Doctor David J. Stone offered “a reminder to the community on how important it is to get immunized against a potentially potent lethal germ.” Hartmann said pertussis is the leading vaccine-preventable disease. Whooping cough is an illness that is highly contagious, particularly to infants. Public Health said the illness “typically starts with a cough and runny nose for 1 to 2 weeks, followed by weeks to months of rapid coughing sometimes ending with a whooping sound.” Unimmunized or incompletely immunized young infants are especially vulnerable. Hartmann said: “Sadly, illness in this age group frequently leads to hospitalization and can be fatal.” He said “because pertussis vaccination does not begin until 2 months of age and infants are not fully immune until after 6 months, the only way to protect young infants is to do everything we can to minimize their exposure. This means ensuring their parents and caregivers are immunized.” Vaccinating parents and caregivers for pertussis before or at the birth of the child is the most important way to protect infants. Because vaccination does not provide lifelong immunity, in addition to the five doses of vaccine prior to kindergarten, a booster dose is recommended between 11 and 18 years of age, and for all who may have close contact with infants. Pregnant women may be vaccinated before or during pregnancy or after giving birth. Fathers may also be vaccinated at any time, but preferably before the birth of their baby. The best prevention against this disease is vaccination. A free “Tdap” (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccine clinic is scheduled for 2-6 p.m. Thursday, August 26 at the Health and Human Services Building in Sutter Creek for people 17 years old or older. A parent or guardian must be present with minors under age 18. For other regularly scheduled immunization clinics, call Amador Public Health Immunization Line at 223-6697. For Spanish, call 223-6642. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.Latest from
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