According to Long Beach health officials, whooping cough cases in the city have more than doubled this year compared to the previous 10-year record high.

In 2010, 69 cases of pertussis, also known as whooping cough, were reported in Long Beach, but so far in 2014, there have been 180 cases said John Holguin, spokesman for the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services.

The State Health Officer declared a pertussis epidemic in California earlier this year. In total, 9,935 cases have been reported throughout the state.

Whooping cough is caused by bacteria and cases peak every three to five years as the number of susceptible people in the population increases, Holguin said. The last peak year in California was 2010.

Infants are at an increased risk for the disease, which can be recognized by a dry cough. About 50 percent of all childen under one year old who catch the disease need to be hospitalized, and about two percent of those children die, according to the CDC.

Doctors recommend young children get five doses of whooping cough booster immunization (known as TDaP, for Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis) by kindergarten, and pregnant women should receive the vaccination during the third trimester of pregnancy, Holguin said. Adults who have contact with infants or who are health workers are also encouraged to get the vaccination. All students entering, advancing or transferring into 7th grade need proof of an adolescent whooping cough booster immunization.

Holguin said people can protect themselves from getting whooping cough by taking the following actions:

    • Make sure everyone in the home has been vaccinated against whooping cough.
    • Make sure everyone in the home washes their hands frequently with soap and water.
    • Do not go to school or work if you’re sick with whooping cough.

“We encourage residents to contact their private healthcare provider for recommended vaccinations, including TDaP,” Holguin said. “Those who do not have a regular healthcare provider or health insurance covering vaccines can dial 2-1-1 or the LBDHHS Immunization Program at 562-570-4516 for information on community sites offering immunizations at reduced cost. The Long Beach Health Department has held multiple free TDaP clinics throughout the year.”