EZIZ Update: California 2011 Pertussis Update from CDPH

EZIZ users,
Please see this message from the California Department of Public Health, Immunization Branch.

Dear California healthcare provider:
Although numbers of reported pertussis cases in California in 2011 are well below the numbers occurring during the peak of the pertussis epidemic last summer, they are still quite elevated compared to numbers for the same months in non-peak years. We’d like you to be aware that pertussis is still circulating in the community and to be alert for cases, particularly cases in young infants who are at the greatest risk for severe disease. Fortunately, there have been no infant deaths due to pertussis since October 2010.

One of the attached documents provides information about the clinical management of young infants with pertussis. This document was endorsed by California AAP in 201 and is posted on their website. Dr. Cherry recently added some additional information.

The other document describes California pertussis activity in 2011. To date, 1,428 cases with onset in 2011 have been reported to CDPH, the state rate per observed person-days is 7.8 cases/100,000.

CDPH issued a press release last week. Here is the link to the press release along with links to our other pertussis resources. Thank you for all you are doing to prevent additional pertussis deaths in California!