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The United States has seen an increase in pertussis (whooping cough) cases across the country in 2012, with several states reporting outbreaks.
Oregon state has recorded 458 pertussis cases as of 6 July 2012, this compares with 147 for the same time period in 2011. Infants less than one year-of-age account for 63 cases. Lane County health officials are concerned as they have recorded 10 cases so far and 20% of children under 2 years are not immunised against pertussis. Twenty two pertussis cases have been reported from Clark Country in the state of Nevada, of those, 7 were children under one year. In Washington state an epidemic was declared in April 2012, to date 2883 cases have been recorded. Snohomish County has ongoing transmission and Yakima County has reported 250 cases so far in 2012, compared with 5 cases for the whole of 2011. In New York state, Steuben County has reported 50 pertussis cases so far in 2012, compared with one case in 2011. Olmsted County in the state of Minnesota has reported five times as many pertussis cases in 2012, compared with 2011; cases are also being reported in Isanti County. Madison and Estill Counties in Kentucky have recorded more pertussis cases in 2012, than the previous 5 years.
Advice for Travellers
It should be confirmed that children have received their recommended doses of pertussis vaccine according to the national childhood schedule. At present booster doses of pertussis vaccine are not recommended for older children and adults in the UK.
