Oct. 29--There have been 109 reported cases of whooping cough in Merced County since Jan. 1, according to the most recent figures. And there've been more cases in California than anytime since 1950.
The majority of the cases in the county involved children under 6, and more than one-third of the cases involved children under the age of 1, said Richard Rios, community health services manager for Merced County.
He said children are at high risk of becoming infected. "The youngest are the most vulnerable for severe consequences, and both local and state statistics continue to indicate this," he added.
California is in the midst of a whooping cough, or pertussis, epidemic. A total of 6,257 cases have been reported statewide, according to the California Department of Public Health. Those numbers represent the most cases reported in 60 years when in 1950 a total of 6,613 cases were reported.
Thus far, 10 infant deaths have been reported in the state as a result of whooping cough, which is an acute infectious disease caused by bacteria. Rios said the deaths haven't included any Merced County residents.
About 20 percent, or one in five, of the total cases in the county have resulted in hospitalization.
Nine out of the 10 deaths reported in the state were Latino infants. Statewide, the highest rate by race, ethnicity and age was seen in Latino infants 6 months old.
In Merced County, when the total number of cases is categorized by race and ethnicity, the highest rate is seen in Latinos -- a total of 58 percent.
Rios said Latinos have the highest percentage, but they also represent more than 50 percent of the county's population. "When looking at cases by race and ethnicity, there is no group that is disproportionate to the overall demographic makeup of Merced County," he added.
Everyone who's around children needs to get vaccinated, Rios said. "Pertussis strongly shows that adults tend to be the leading source of infection to younger age people who are not fully immunized or have not reached 6 months," he added. "It's still very important for households with newborns to get fully vaccinated, and for everyone to review when was the last time they had a booster."
Anyone who had a booster shot within the last five to 10 years might not be protected anymore, Rios said. Health officials encourage people to contact their health care provider to get the protective vaccination, he said. "We know that most local providers have it," he added. "We know and our numbers show that the higher levels of vaccination, the less number of cases of any preventive disease."
According to Rios, the county's Department of Public Health will continue "to work with the medical community as they are in the front lines to diagnose and report possible cases."
Beatriz Ramirez, clinical manager for the emergency department at Mercy Medical Center, said she wasn't aware of any recent cases. "Not within the last two months," she said.
Reporter Yesenia Amaro can be reached at (209) 388-6507, or yamaro@mercedsun-star.com
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