California Health Officials Warn Of Whooping Cough Epidemic

SACRAMENTO (CBS SF) -- California is currently experiencing a whooping cough epidemic, according to the California Department of Public Health.

Public health officials said more than 800 new cases of pertussis, also known as whooping cough, have been reported in the last two weeks.

Some 3,458 cases of whooping cough had been reported to the health department this year as of June 10 - more cases than were reported in all of 2013, according to department officials.

Health officials said whooping cough is cyclical and that cases peak every three to five years. The last peak was in 2010, so this year could be another peak year, officials say.

Infants and young children are most vulnerable to whooping cough.

Symptoms vary by age but include a cough and runny nose for one or two weeks. The cough then worsens and children may experience rapid coughing spells that end with a "whooping" sound.

In infants, symptoms may not include an apparent cough, but could include episodes in which the child's face turns red or purple.

In adults, symptoms may include a persistent cough for several weeks.

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