Yesterday, California health authorities declared an epidemic of pertussis, or whooping cough, in the state, the New York Times reports (McKinley, New York Times, 6/23).
Since January, the state has confirmed 910 whooping cough cases and five infant deaths resulting from the highly contagious respiratory disease. Authorities are investigating 600 additional cases that could be classified as pertussis (Linthicum/Lin, Los Angeles Times, 6/24).
The number of confirmed cases is more than four times higher than the number recorded at this point in 2009, putting the state on pace for the worst outbreak of the disease in 50 years, according to the San Jose Mercury News (Messinger, San Jose Mercury News, 6/23).
Officials Urge Vaccination
On Wednesday, California Department of Public Health Director Mark Horton called for children to be vaccinated against whooping cough and urged parents, family members and caregivers of infants to obtain a booster shot (AP/San Francisco Chronicle, 6/23).
Gilberto Chavez, deputy director of the department's Center for Infectious Disease, warned that the peak season for whooping cough begins in the summer, meaning the worst may be yet to come (New York Times, 6/23).
Broadcast Coverage
On Wednesday, Capital Public Radio's "KXJZ News" reported on the whooping cough epidemic. The segment includes comments from Eileen Yamada of the California Department of Public Health (Sepulvado, "KXJZ News," Capital Public Radio, 6/23).