Whooping Cough Cases at 30-Year High in State

LA TIMES ^ | 12/14/05 | Jia-Rui Chong, Times Staff Writer

[BurbankKarl]

California is in the midst of a significant outbreak of whooping cough, with the number of cases at the highest point in 30 years, leading to at least seven deaths of babies, according to public health officials.

As of the end of November, doctors had reported 2,169 cases statewide — roughly triple last year's level, said Celia Woodfill, an epidemiologist with the state Department of Health Services. The figure is significantly higher than estimates officials made earlier in the year.

Seven deaths in babies," she added, is "a lot more than usual."

More than three hundred cases had been reported in Los Angeles County through September. Over the past five years, the average in the county has been fewer than 100 cases. The number of cases in Orange County increased sharply in 2002, to 97, and has remained at an elevated level since.

Many parents think of whooping cough as a disease that disappeared decades ago after vaccinations became routine in the 1940s. But the illness has been slowly on the rise in the United States for two decades, in part because adolescents frequently outgrow their immunity.

The sharp increase in California this year, however, has health officials puzzled and has taken many school officials by surprise.

[somniferum]

Mass immigration from 3rd world countries?

[poobear]

"The sharp increase in California this year, however, has health officials puzzled and has taken many school officials by surprise."

Try hign influx of immigrants with no vaccinations along with adults who have never been vaccinated, bammo!

[Kenny Bunkport]

The sharp increase in California this year, however, has health officials puzzled

With the flood of illegals, this is the tip of the iceberg of a public health catastrophy.

[KC_Conspirator]

Many parents think of whooping cough as a disease that disappeared decades ago after vaccinations became routine in the 1940s. But the illness has been slowly on the rise in the United States for two decades, in part because adolescents frequently outgrow their immunity.

This article is a whole pack of lies. I can't stand it anymore! You want to know why these diseases, like whooping cough is returning? Illegal aliens. Especially Chinese and Mexicans. They are not vaccinated like modern westerners are. Its the same reason that diseases like TB keep popping up. I would bet that the instances of whooping cough are almost wholeheartedly related to illegal aliens. This reporting is a big lie and it does not contribute one iota to solving the problem.

[Gone GF]

Don't forget that we also have a rising number of Americans who think all vaccinations are bad or cause autism.

[jackbenimble]

Amazing! Illegal immigration was what jumped into the minds of the first 5 posts (including myself) but the article is totally oblivious to this possibility and treats it all like a big mystery.

[BurbankKarl]

I will find an email for the author...

[Blood of Tyrants]

But they are still a tiny number cmpared to the illegal alien population who have never received any vaccinations at all.

[pacpam]

For the medical community to express wonder to the source is what is scary.

[sportutegrl]

Probably the vast majority are illegals, but California has more than its share of moonbat anti-immunization nuts.

[Malacoda]

That's what caused a huge tuberculosis outbreak in our area. Mexican illegals that were working on the mushroom farms brought it with them.

[SoftballMominVA]

We live in Virginia. Last winter, my 14 year old caught whooping cough and it was HORRIBLE for her. The doctor chalked it up to incomplete vaccinations. (She reacted very badly to her first DPT and only got DT after that) He said that he had seen 2 dozen cases at that point in the winter.

As bad as hers was I shudder to think what she would have gone through without the small amount of protection she did have.

[TASMANIANRED]

Duh.

Even though the whooping cough vaccine doesn't give lifetime immunity it should protect through childhood years.

[lastchance]

The officials should not be puzzled. Many people are not getting their children vaccinated. Mostly because of fears that the vaccinations cause Autism. There have always been religious exemptions for required immunizations. But as far as I know this never lead to an increase in whooping cough or other childhood diseases. People have short memories and do not remember the epidemics of Diptheria and Pertussis that killed so many before we had the vaccines against those diseases. Go look at an old graveyard for a very sobering idea of child mortality rates prior to immunization availability.

[TheSpottedOwl]

I saw this on the news(KABC). God forbid they mention the more plausible explanation for the resurgence of diseases like TB and whooping cough.

[dha]

The pertussis vaccine only lasts about 5-10 years. Very few get boosters after age 7. With the rapid influx of illegals I'm not the least bit shocked that this is on the rise.

The most unfortunate aspect is that it is usually infants who have yet to receive the full series of vaccinations who die from it. :(

[djreece]

A family I know that has come down with whooping cough this year is anti-immunization. In my opinion, the reason that so many give so much credence to arguments against immunization is because they have never seen the diseases. Unfortunately, some are now learning the hard way.