While you were celebrating the holidays, a dangerous and highly contagious disease has made a strong comeback in California. Cases of this illness have surged dramatically this year, with reported cases now about six times higher than last year.
Whooping Cough Makes a Comeback in California
In 2024, California has seen a significant rise in cases of Pertussis, also known as Whooping Cough, which is especially dangerous and potentially deadly for certain individuals. By September 2024, reported cases had already surpassed 1,700, a sharp increase from less than 300 cases in 2023. San Diego, Marin, and Los Angeles counties have been hit hardest by the spike, and this number is expected to rise further as the holiday season wraps up.
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What is Pertussis?
Pertussis is a highly contagious bacterial respiratory illness, often beginning with symptoms that resemble the common cold: a runny or stuffed nose, mild fever, and a mild cough. For most people, these early symptoms may last up to two weeks. However, for infants, the illness may not show all the typical signs but can cause difficulty breathing or pauses in breathing, which can be life-threatening.
After the cold-like symptoms, pertussis progresses into severe coughing fits, often accompanied by vomiting, exhaustion, difficulty sleeping, and even fractured or broken ribs. The violent coughing can last for up to six weeks, followed by a recovery period of two to three weeks with occasional coughing episodes.
Can a Mask Protect You?
Pertussis is particularly dangerous to infants, the elderly, and other individuals with weakened immune systems. While there has been only one reported death from the disease in California in the past six years—an infant in 2019—previous outbreaks, like the one in 2010, resulted in several infant deaths.
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To protect yourself and others, the whooping cough vaccine can help reduce the severity of symptoms, and wearing a mask can minimize the transmission of the bacteria. If you feel sick or show any symptoms of pertussis, it’s important to contact your healthcare provider immediately.
By staying informed and taking precautions, you can help stop the spread of this dangerous disease.
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