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Health officials in Orange County announced the death of an infant, who has been linked to whooping cough, the first county-related death since 2007.
"We are deeply saddened by this loss of life and extend our condolences to the family," said Dr. Nichole Quick, Acting County Health Officer, in a statement released Thursday, April 18.
The county reported 171 cases of whooping cough or pertussis in 2018, including eight cases of infants under 3 months of age. Seven of these eight cases required hospitalization.
Pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory disease that is spread from person to person by coughing or sneezing, according to the Orange County Health Agency. Symptoms usually develop within five to ten days of exposure, but can last up to three weeks.
The first symptoms usually include a runny nose, moderate fever, mild cough and breathing pauses, the Health Care Agency said. More advanced symptoms may include sudden attacks of rapid cough followed by an "acute discharge", vomiting during or after a coughing fit and exhaustion.
Tdap vaccine during pregnancy has proven to be a safe way to protect mother and baby from serious illness, the Health Care Agency announced. It has proven to be 90% effective in the prevention of whooping cough in children under 2 months of age.
"The best way to prevent whooping cough is to be up-to-date with immunization," said Quick.
"Children should receive five doses of DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis) as part of their routine immunization program starting at 2 months of age," she said. "It is strongly recommended that pregnant women during each pregnancy, regardless of the time of their previous pregnancy, receive the Tdap vaccine during their third trimester – weeks 27 to 36. Vaccination during this period stimulates the production of maternal antibodies that are passed on to the newborn. protection of the baby against whooping cough during the first months of life. "
For more information on immunization, including whooping cough, visit ochealthinfo.com/phs/about/family/iz.
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