![A CDC flyer advocating for Whooping Cough vaccine]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1732557882/alamedak12caus/bohzusgtve79yunpxm7h/pertussis-vacc-all.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1732557882/alamedak12caus/bohzusgtve79yunpxm7h/pertussis-vacc-all.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1732557882/alamedak12caus/bohzusgtve79yunpxm7h/pertussis-vacc-all.jpg","width":700}])
The Alameda County Public Health Department has issued health advisory about a concerning number of Pertussis cases in our area.
More than 60 confirmed or probable cases of Pertussis (or “whooping cough”) have been reported in Alameda County during the 2024-2025 school year, along with multiple high school outbreaks. This is a significant increase compared with recent years.
No hospitalizations have been reported, but Pertussis can cause severe illness or, in rare instances, death. As such, ACPHD advises any person who has Pertussis-like symptoms to avoid spending time with pregnant persons or infants, who are at the highest risk of severe disease.
Symptoms
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Early pertussis symptoms are similar to colds (i.e., runny nose, low/no fever, mild cough)
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After 1-2 weeks, however, symptoms worsen (including: vomiting, breathing problems,
extreme fatigue whooping sounds) -
Babies may gasp or gag, stop breathing, or have seizsures
Avoiding Pertussis
Pertussis spreads very easily in group settings such as schools and child care centers. It is also preventable! The best prevention is to get your child vaccinated. Routine childhood immunizations include pertussis prevention at 2, 4, 6, 15-18 mos, 4-6 years of age, and again at 11-12 years of age and are required for kindergarten and middle school entry. All adults should get at least one dose too.
If you are exposed, exposed, confer with your doctor about whether you should take antibiotics.
A person infected with Pertussis is considered contagious for 21 days after the onset of cough or until 5 days of antibiotics have been completed.
Avoiding Other Respiratory Viruses
To reduce pertussis and other respiratory illnesses this winter, our District Nurses are also asking that sudents and staff with fevers stay home, wear masks when they return to work, and practice frequent handwashing.
To reduce pertussis and other respiratory illnesses this winter, our District Nurses are also asking that sudents and staff with fevers stay home, wear masks when they return to work, and practice frequent handwashing.
General guidelines on when to keep children home from school are available on our "When Your Child is Sick" web page.