The U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention issued a report on this year’s pertussis epidemic in Washington state, noting it "reflects the evolving epidemiology of pertussis in the United States."
In 2012, as of June 16, a total of 2,520 pertussis cases were reported in Washington, of which 2,069 were confirmed (83.4% laboratory-confirmed and 16.6% epidemiologically linked) and 451 were probable. In comparison, 180 of 966 total cases for the year had been reported as of the same date in 2011.
Nationwide, said Anne Schuchat, MD, director of the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, 18,000 cases had been reported as of Thursday. The total is more than double the number of cases through this time last year.
"We may be on track for a record-high pertussis rate this year," she said.
In Washington, high rates occurred in infants and in 10-year-olds. High rates also were seen in adolescents ages 13 to 14 previously vaccinated with tetanus toxoid, reduced-dose diphtheria toxoids and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine.
Although acellular pertussis vaccines provide excellent immediate protection, the authors wrote, the increased rates of pertussis in adolescents fully vaccinated with acellular vaccine during childhood suggests early waning of immunity after Tdap vaccination.
Despite this increase — and the fact that the vaccination "is not perfect," Schuchat said — pertussis vaccination remains the most effective strategy to prevent infection, the authors wrote. The focus of control and prevention efforts includes protecting infants and improving vaccination coverage in adolescents and adults, especially pregnant women and others who have close contacts with infants.
"In light of the increased incidence of pertussis in Washington and elsewhere, efforts should focus on full implementation of DTaP and Tdap recommendations to prevent infection and protect infants," the authors wrote.
To read the report in the July 20 issue of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, visit http://1.usa.gov/Lvna7y.
In 2012, as of June 16, a total of 2,520 pertussis cases were reported in Washington, of which 2,069 were confirmed (83.4% laboratory-confirmed and 16.6% epidemiologically linked) and 451 were probable. In comparison, 180 of 966 total cases for the year had been reported as of the same date in 2011.
Nationwide, said Anne Schuchat, MD, director of the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, 18,000 cases had been reported as of Thursday. The total is more than double the number of cases through this time last year.
"We may be on track for a record-high pertussis rate this year," she said.
In Washington, high rates occurred in infants and in 10-year-olds. High rates also were seen in adolescents ages 13 to 14 previously vaccinated with tetanus toxoid, reduced-dose diphtheria toxoids and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine.
Although acellular pertussis vaccines provide excellent immediate protection, the authors wrote, the increased rates of pertussis in adolescents fully vaccinated with acellular vaccine during childhood suggests early waning of immunity after Tdap vaccination.
Despite this increase — and the fact that the vaccination "is not perfect," Schuchat said — pertussis vaccination remains the most effective strategy to prevent infection, the authors wrote. The focus of control and prevention efforts includes protecting infants and improving vaccination coverage in adolescents and adults, especially pregnant women and others who have close contacts with infants.
"In light of the increased incidence of pertussis in Washington and elsewhere, efforts should focus on full implementation of DTaP and Tdap recommendations to prevent infection and protect infants," the authors wrote.
To read the report in the July 20 issue of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, visit http://1.usa.gov/Lvna7y.
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