Whooping cough is seeing a spike in San Mateo County

“As we see more cases this season, it’s important for people of all ages to be up to date on their vaccines to make sure that the people around them, especially pregnant women and infants, will be protected from exposure to pertussis,” Dr. Kismet Baldwin-Santana, San Mateo County health officer said in a statement. 

As of Sept. 30, San Mateo County has reported 54 cases this year, a steep increase compared to just six last year.

Clusters of cases have been reported in elementary and high school settings, and the majority of documented cases are between 15 and 24 years old, however, infants are most likely to have severe symptoms because they are too young to be immunized.

Anyone pregnant should receive the pertussis vaccine, Tdap, during their third trimester and any individual who may be involved or around infants should remain up to date with their immunizations. 

“Protecting these infants is critical,” the health advisory released Nov. 27 reads. 

Whooping cough is a contagious respiratory tract infection often marked by coughing fits coupled with a “whoop” sound. However, this characteristic noise may not always be present and symptoms may present similarly to the flu.

Severe symptoms can be prevented with up-to-date immunization, the advisory reads.

Individuals with whooping cough are considered contagious for 21 days and can be treated with antibiotics.

For more information visit smchealth.org/whoopingcough or report cases by calling (650) 573-2345.