State's whooping cough epidemic continues to take a toll
OLYMPIA, Wash. - Washington state's whooping cough shows no sign of slowing, with more than 2,000 new cases reported since the health secretary declared an epidemic April 3.
The epidemic is up to 2,883 reported cases - nearly 14 times more than were reported during the same period last year.
State health officials continue to urge vaccination and other disease prevention measures, said Julie Graham of the state Department of Health.
"Infants are most at risk for very serious illness from whooping cough, and many are made sick by an adult who didn't know they were carrying the illness," said State Health Officer Dr. Maxine Hayes. "Even people who don't have close contact with babies can spread the illness to babies when they're in public."
Hayes recommends that all teens and adults get the Tdap shot, which protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough.
The Department of Health ordered 14,000 more doses of whooping cough vaccine for uninsured adults to go with 27,000 doses already sent to local health and tribal partners.
Getting vaccinated helps protect the person who gets immunized while protecting others from disease, including infants who most often catch the illness from a relative.
Babies under two months are too young to get vaccinated and are at high risk for serious illness. This year there have been 173 reported whooping cough cases in infants; 38 of them were hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
Protection provided by the childhood whooping cough vaccine series wears off over time, so teens and adults need a booster.
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For more information visit the Department of Health's whooping cough epidemic website.
The epidemic is up to 2,883 reported cases - nearly 14 times more than were reported during the same period last year.
State health officials continue to urge vaccination and other disease prevention measures, said Julie Graham of the state Department of Health.
"Infants are most at risk for very serious illness from whooping cough, and many are made sick by an adult who didn't know they were carrying the illness," said State Health Officer Dr. Maxine Hayes. "Even people who don't have close contact with babies can spread the illness to babies when they're in public."
Hayes recommends that all teens and adults get the Tdap shot, which protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough.
The Department of Health ordered 14,000 more doses of whooping cough vaccine for uninsured adults to go with 27,000 doses already sent to local health and tribal partners.
Getting vaccinated helps protect the person who gets immunized while protecting others from disease, including infants who most often catch the illness from a relative.
Babies under two months are too young to get vaccinated and are at high risk for serious illness. This year there have been 173 reported whooping cough cases in infants; 38 of them were hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
Protection provided by the childhood whooping cough vaccine series wears off over time, so teens and adults need a booster.
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For more information visit the Department of Health's whooping cough epidemic website.
