REGION: 2 North County campers diagnosed with whooping cough
Children were not immunized against disease, officials say
By North County Times | ∞
Two siblings who attended North County day camps have been diagnosed with pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, a highly contagious disease that causes severe coughing, health officials said.
The children, ages 9 and 6, had not been immunized against the disease, and began treatment for it Aug. 9, according to County Health and Human Services officials.
Whooping cough is treatable with antibiotics.
Dozens of people may have been exposed to the disease at two church camps, officials said. The 9-year-old attended a music and drama camp at Village Church in Rancho Santa Fe from Aug. 4-8. Both children attended the KidsGames at the North Coast Calvary Chapel in Carlsbad from July 28 through Aug. 1.
Families of children and staff who attended both camps have been notified of their potential exposure, officials said. No lingering risk of exposure exists at the locations.
Officials reminded parents that children should be vaccinated against the disease. It is recommended that children get five doses of the vaccine, the first three at 2, 4 and 6 months of age. The final vaccinations are usually administered when the child is between 15 and 18 months and 4 to 6 years old. It is also recommended that people 11 to 64 receive one additional booster vaccination.
Whooping cough usually starts with flu-like symptoms, such as runny nose, sneezing, fever and a mild cough. Symptoms can last up to two weeks and may be followed by severe coughing fits and vomiting. Fever, if present, is usually mild. Whooping cough can occur at any age.
In 2007, there were 50 cases in the county. So far this year, there have been 28 cases.
For more information, call the County Health and Human Services Immunization Branch at (619) 692-8661, or visit the Web site at www.sdiz.org.
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Immunize please wrote on Aug 14, 2008 1:33 PM:Once again, some kook has endangered public safety by refusing to immunize their children. It's time that state officials get serious and ENFORCE existing laws regarding kids entering school with all their shots. It's the only way. And while we're at it, add Gardasil to the required list for girls. It's hard to believe that anyone would object to a vaccine for cancer, and yet some do. Incredible.
To immunize please wrote on Aug 14, 2008 3:13 PM:Gardasil has caused many side effects so far in the little time it has been available.Your awefully judgemental.
Protect Your Children wrote on Aug 14, 2008 3:28 PM:A parent's decision to NOT immunize their child not only puts their own child in jeopardy but puts other children (and infants too young to be fully immunized) at risk. Thankfully, most parents realize this and immunize their children.
Risk is much, much greater for disease than for side effects.
Immunize... wrote on Aug 14, 2008 3:33 PM:immunize your kids PLEASE! The risks of immunization are almost nil, the risks of getting the disease (whatever it may be) are REAL. All that CRAP about mercury, autism, ETC is over-blown, misinterpreted baloney. No serious scientific study has ever linked vaccinations with a credible risk of serious side-effects.
I personally think that parents who refuse to vaccinate should be tried for child neglect. The risks for disease are REAL! The risk for the alledged side effects are non-existent or miniscule at best. Everytime a prevetable diease like this pops up, the parents should be jailed for neglect unless they can document a religious or medical excuse.
why are camps wrote on Aug 14, 2008 5:32 PM:enrolling chilren that are not immunized? they are at fault also for endangering these children and themselves. come on people, get with it and know that the world is a pretty dirty place. There are diseases and conditions out there that we all need to be aware of and protected from as best we can. I know it is a parents own choice/belief to immunize or not, but they should reconsider.
P wrote on Aug 14, 2008 8:41 PM:Had I known that "Whooping cough is treatable with antibiotics" I probably would not have had my kids vaccinated for this particular disease when they were young. The less vaccines, the better.
if my child had been exposed wrote on Aug 14, 2008 9:36 PM:you can bet heads would be rolling right now. just because someone does not want to immunize their kids doesn't mean they have the right to put the rest of us innocent immunized people at risk. It's like not having auto insurance. don't drive near me and put me at risk for being hit by you when you know you can't pay for the damage. something like that...I hope everybody's OK.
Get smart get immunizations wrote on Aug 14, 2008 9:55 PM:Many diseases were nonexistent until non vacinated persons mostly from other countries started coming her in droves. I know about some vacine risks, but the very real risk of worse is there. Ignorance and laziness in adults is the main reasons for not getting immunizations. Immunize's statements are right on.
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