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June 19, 2002

U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"Whooping Cough Gains Ground Again in Texas, U.S."

Dallas Morning News (www.dallasnews.com) (06/17/02) P. 1C; Beil, Laura

Whooping cough is making a comeback in Texas, with 615 cases recorded in 2001--the highest number since 1968--and 214 cases already this year.  There have been 11 deaths from whooping cough in Texas children since 1999, all but one of which were among Hispanic children.  State health officials note that one reason the disease is taking hold is because of Texas' low vaccination level--the state is ranked last for the percentage of children under the age of three years who are fully immunized.  However, that is not the entire reason, as outbreaks can occur even among vaccinated adolescents and adults; vaccination against whooping cough, or pertussis, can wear off quickly, allowing the disease to circulate among older age groups who may eventually pass it on to an unvaccinated baby.  Nationwide, pertussis rates have been on the rise since the 1980s, although experts note that some of this increase may be due to better diagnosis of the disease.

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