From the California Department of Health we learn the following:
To date (8/31/2010), there have been 3,600 confirmed, probable and suspect cases of pertussis reported. This is the most cases reported in 52 years since there were 3,837 cases reported in 1958 according to the California Department of Health. 106 (60%) of hospitalized cases were infants <3 months of age and 132 (75%) were infants <6 months of age. 8 deaths have been reported, 7 were in infants <2 months of age at time of disease onset and had not received any doses of pertussis-containing vaccine.
What is pertussis? Bordetella Pertussis is a bacteria usually spread by coughing or sneezing. In China it is known as the hundred day cough. It starts out like a regular head cold but then changes into coughing fits that end with a huge breath (whoop).
How do I protect myself and my kids? The Tdap vaccine should be given to all close contacts of infants and newborns.
http://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/
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