health
Washington state pertussis cases near previous year’s total
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted May 7, 2012
About 1,000 cases of pertussis had been reported in Washington as of April 21 — more than all of 2011, state health officials said.
The 1,008 cases so far in 2012 is the highest since 1,026 were reported in all of 2005. The state is on pace to reach 3,000 cases this year, the most in six decades (link).
State officials say 71 babies have had pertussis in 2012, with 18 of them hospitalized. Vaccination before giving birth helps prevent pregnant women from spreading the illness to newborns, they said.
Pertussis vaccines are recommended for teens and adults. Health care professionals can check the state’s immunization registry to see which vaccines have been given.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/05/07/hlbf0507.htm.
