Whooping cough outbreak in California

On June 18th, the state of California officially declared a whooping cough epidemic in the state. So far this year, there has been 910 cases of children contracting whooping cough. Of these 910 cases, five infants under the age of three months have died.

It is suspected that the case number could climb to as high as 1500 infected people as 600 new cases are currently under investigation by health officials. This is four times higher than the number of cases last year, a 400 percent increase.

Whooping cough is an infection that carries a distinct sounding cough, as well as cold like symptoms. The infection has three stages, ultimately resulting in a cough that can last for many weeks. The cough is categorized by coughing so much, that a rapid inhale is taken, given off a whooping sound. Many adults contract the infection, however their immune systems are able to fend it off without resulting in doctor or hospital visits.

Whooping cough affects infants that hardest and can lead to death, as well as pneumonia, seizures and brain damage. Infants under the age of two months are not vaccinated at all, which makes them even more susceptible to contracting the illness.

In order to make sure you or your child has taken the necessary precautions, make sure to wash your hands frequently and throughly, that the child is up-to-date on vaccinations, as well as making sure any adult in contact with infants has had a booster immunization for whooping cough. Doctors are warning parents not to panic, just to stay aware and be on alert if their child starts to show signs of the illness.