Whooping Cough Cases Increase

Sonora, CA — 13 whooping cough cases have now been confirmed in Tuolumne County. It is a very sharp increase from past years, according to Tuolumne County Health Officer Dr. Todd Stolp. Over the last 20 years, the most confirmed cases in a single year had been five.

“We continue to encourage people to get their pertussis booster vaccination,” says Dr. Stolp. He notes that the T-Dap (pertussis) booster is available in the community by contacting private healthcare providers. Those who do not have a private physician can get the booster shot through the County’s Public Health Department.

Infants are particularly at risk for whooping cough. Seven people have died in California this year from the disease, and all were under the age of two months.