Washington State pertussis cases continue to be reported in 2013
The pertussis epidemic that plagued Washington State and much of the United States in 2012, is still with us in 2013, albeit with only about 1/4 of the cases, according to data released by the Washington State Department of Health (WSDH) Tuesday.
According to health officials, as of Feb. 2, there has been 33 cases of pertussis, or whooping cough reported so far this year. This compares to the 119 cases reported during the same time frame last year.
Okanogan County has reported the most cases. Children under age 1 continues to be the age group with the highest rates of pertussis.
During the pertussis epidemic of 2012, Washington State reported 4,855 cases. That was the worst year for pertussis in Washington since the 1940s.
Washington State Secretary of Health, Mary Selecky declared a pertussis epidemic last spring.
2012 U.S. Pertussis Outbreak Is Worst In Decades
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