Two New Whooping Cough Cases in PUSD Schools

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San Diego County health officials continue to urge booster shots after 21 new whooping cough cases were reported in San Diego County — including two cases involving the Poway Unified School District.

California has declared a whooping cough epidemic as a record number of cases continues to climb.

“Due to the state-declared epidemic, we would like to remind parents that the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has lowered the recommendation for Tdap booster shots from 10-11 years and now recommend those 7-9 years of age and older receive a booster dose,” said Wilma Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., County Public Health Officer.

579 confirmed cases have been reported so far this year, compared with 143 cases in all of 2009. The previous high for the county was 371 cases in 2005, according to health officials.

This week’s new cases where there is a potential for public exposure are:

• A 2-year-old who attends the Child Development Center in the Solana Beach School District.
• A 4-year-old who attends Deer Canyon Preschool in the Poway Unified School District.
• A 6-year-old who attends Chula Vista Elementary School District.
• A 6-year-old who was up-to-date on immunizations and attends Rice Elementary School in the Chula Vista Elementary School District.
• A 7-year-old who attends Adobe Bluffs Elementary School in the Poway Unified School District.
• An 8-year-old who attends Ocean Air Elementary School in the Del Mar Union School District.
• Seven 9-year-olds who attend Arroyo Vista Elementary School in the Chula Vista Elementary School District.
• A 9-year-old who attends Arroyo Vista Elementary School in the Chula Vista Elementary School District.
• A 9-year-old who attends the Iftin Charter School in San Diego.
• A 10-year-old who attends Arroyo Vista Elementary School in the Chula Vista Elementary School District.
• A 10-year-old who attends the Jamul Intermediate School in the Jamul-Dulzura School District.
• An 11-year-old who attends Arroyo Vista Elementary School in the Chula Vista Elementary School District.
• A 12-year-old who attends the San Diego Jewish Academy in Carmel Valley.
• A 13-year-old who attends St. Mary’s Star of the Sea School in Oceanside.
• A 13-year-old who attends Canyon Crest High School in the San Dieguito Union High School District.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that children get one dose of DTaP vaccine at the following ages:

• 2 months
• 4 months
• 6 months
• 15 to 18 months
• 4 to 6 years.

The CDC also recommends that children receive a booster shot of Tdap vaccine at 10-11 yrs.

Whooping cough is a highly contagious, cyclical illness. Symptoms might appear similar to the common cold, but a persistent cough that lasts weeks may indicate the illness, which is also known as pertussis.