Mission Statement
The purpose of the Tuolumne County Public Health Department is to protect and preserve the health and well being of all citizens of Tuolumne County by preventing and controlling disease, injury and disability and by promoting healthy lifestyles.
Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
FROM: Tuolumne County Health Department
DATE: June 21, 2010
Pertussis (Whooping Cough) – What You Need To Know
As of 6/15/2010, there have been 910 cases of pertussis reported in California for 2010. This is a 4-fold increase from the number of reported cases during the same time period in 2009 when 219 cases were reported.
There are an additional 600 suspect cases currently being investigated by local health jurisdictions for a total of over 1,500 cases.
Pertussis tends to wax and wane over a four to five year cycle. The last increase in cases occurred in 2005 when there were 1,261 pertussis cases in California in the first six months of the year, a 45-year high. In 2008 there were 13,000 cases reported in the U.S. Increases this year are being reported from all over California, but seem to be highest in the Bay Area and Central Valley. Tuolumne County has not yet registered a significant increase in cases, but there is often a delay before cases are reported to the Health Department.
Pertussis is a bacterial respiratory illness characterized by severe spasms of coughing that can last for several weeks or even for months. It is usually spread from person to person when a person coughs or sneezes.
Before the introduction of vaccination in the 1940s, pertussis was a frequent cause of serious illness and death among infants and young children in the United States. It is a very contagious disease caused by a type of bacteria called Bordetella pertussis and among vaccine-preventable diseases, pertussis is one of the most commonly occurring ones in the United States.
Pertussis (whooping cough) is very contagious and can cause serious illness especially in infants who are too young to be fully vaccinated. Make sure your infants and young children get their recommended vaccinations on time. The recommended vaccine schedule is described below.
There is high vaccine coverage for children nationwide. However, protection from the childhood vaccine fades over time. Adolescents and adults need to be revaccinated, even if they were completely vaccinated as children.
Also, pertussis vaccines are very effective but not 100% effective. If pertussis is circulating in the community, there is still a chance that a fully vaccinated person can catch this very contagious disease. When you or your child develops a cold that includes a prolonged or severe cough, it may be pertussis. The best way to know is to contact your doctor.
Pertussis Symptoms
Pertussis can cause serious illness, especially in infants and children. The disease starts like the common cold, with runny nose or congestion, sneezing, and maybe mild cough or fever. But after 1–2 weeks, severe coughing begins. Infants and children with the disease cough violently and rapidly, over and over, until the air is gone from their lungs and they're forced to inhale with a loud "whooping" sound. Pertussis is most severe for babies; more than half of infants less than 1 year of age who get the disease must be hospitalized. About 1 in 20 infants with pertussis get pneumonia (lung infection), and about 1 in 100 will have convulsions. All deaths in California this year have been in infants.
How Pertussis Spreads
People with pertussis usually spread the disease by coughing or sneezing while in close contact with others, who then breathe in the pertussis bacteria. Many infants who get pertussis are infected by parents, older siblings, or other caregivers who might not even know they have the disease.
Preventing Pertussis
The best way to prevent pertussis is to get vaccinated. In the US, the recommended pertussis vaccine for children is called DTaP. This is a safe and effective combination vaccine that protects children against three diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. For maximum protection against pertussis, children need five DTaP shots. The first three shots are given at 2, 4, and 6 months of age. The fourth shot is given between 15 and 18 months of age, and a fifth shot is given when a child enters school, at 4–6 years of age. Parents can also help protect infants by keeping them away as much as possible from anyone who has cold symptoms or is coughing.
Pre-teens going to the doctor for their regular check-up at age 11 or 12 years should get a dose of Tdap. Adults who didn't get Tdap as a pre-teen or teen should get one dose of Tdap instead of the Td booster.
Most pregnant women who were not previously vaccinated with Tdap should get one dose of Tdap postpartum before leaving the hospital or birthing center. Getting vaccinated with Tdap is especially important for families with and caregivers of new infants.
The easiest thing for adults to do is to get Tdap instead of their next regular tetanus booster—that Td shot that they were supposed to get every 10 years. The dose of Tdap can be given earlier than the 10-year mark, so it's a good idea for adults to talk to a healthcare provider about what's best for their specific situation.
Tuolumne County Public Health Department Immunization Clinic – Tuesday 1 to 4 PM- Walk-In clinic. (209) 533-7401. No appointment necessary.
Heat Warning for Tuolumne Co.
NEWS RELEASE
Tuolumne County Health Department
Division of Public Health
20111 Cedar Road North
Sonora, CA 95370
Telephone No. (209) 533-7401
Fax. No. (209) 533-7406
DATE: June 30, 2010 TIME: 16:22
From: S. Todd Stolp M.D.
Tuolumne County Health Officer
Kathleen K. Rustrum
Tuolumne County Office of Emergency Services
RE: Heat Advisory for Tuolumne County
As we enter the hot season for the Sierra foothills, it is time to prepare by checking water stores and air conditioning systems in homes and businesses. If you know of neighbors or friends who might benefit from assistance during the coming hot weather, this might be a good time to check on them.
It is important to wear appropriate clothing during hot weather, especially for children. Wearing a hat and using sunscreen is a good idea if you plan to be outside. If you are unaccustomed to working or exercising in hot weather, it is important to pace yourself, drink 16 to 32 ounces of liquids every hour while in the heat, and include some foods, juices or sports drinks to replace electrolytes (salts in the blood).
If you or someone you are with develops dizziness, headache, flushed skin or nausea, consider heat illness (heat exhaustion). Heat stroke occurs when a person exposed to extreme heat loses the ability to maintain a normal body temperature, and can lead to confusion, unconsciousness or even death. Please consult with your primary care physician if you find yourself or another person experiencing these physical symptoms.
For relief from hot weather, public buildings like the Tuolumne County Library facilities are available. The Sonora Main Library, located on Greenley Road, will be open on Saturday, July 3rd from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM, closed on Monday, July 5th in observance of the holiday, and beginning July 6th, the Main Library will be open from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Tuesday through Saturday. Other library hours can be obtained by calling 209-533-5507. The Tuolumne County Senior Center, also on Greenley Road, is open from Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, except on holidays, when they are closed.
In the event that excessively hot weather (100°+) is expected to pose a significant health risk to the public, the County Office of Emergency Services will issue a Heat Alert or Heat Warning depending on the severity of persistent heat, with further guidance for Tuolumne County citizens and visitors. This information will be disseminated through the local media and also available on our Community Information Line.
If you desire more information during a hot weather spell, you may call the Community Information Line at 533-6392 any time of the day or night to ascertain if there is a Heat Alert or Heat Warning in place. For urgent needs during an excessive heat wave, you may call the Health Department at 209-533-8055.
Public Health Contact Info
Tuolumne County Health Department
20111 Cedar Road North
Sonora, CA 95370
209/533-7400 or 1-800/585-6606
Fax Number: 209/533-7406
Adult & Family Health
