INCREASE IN WHOOPING COUGH
The number of cases of pertussis (whooping cough) has increase 418% from the 258 cases reported during the same time period in 2009. The incidence of the disease was highest among infants under one year, with 89% of the cases being reported among infants under six months of age, who are too young to be fully immunized. Working to prevent transmission of pertussis to infants is done by raising awareness and providing free tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap) vaccine to birthing hospitals and local health departments to support postpartum vaccination of mothers and close contacts of newborns.
