California parents are urged to make sure their young children receive the DTap immunization agaist the recent whooping cough epidemic in the state. Sadly, one infant in San Bernardino County has already died from it, and four more have died since January.

Statewide, there have been 910 cases of whooping cough (also called pertussis) reported from January through June 15, which is a huge increase from the same time last year when there were 219 cases reported.

The disease starts like a common cold, but after one to two weeks, severe coughing begins. Infants and children with the disease cough violently and rapidly, over and over, until the air is gone from their lungs and they’re forced to inhale with a loud “whooping” sound. Pertussis is most severe for babies. More than half of infants less than 1 year of age who get the disease must be hospitalized. About 1 in 20 infants with pertussis get pneumonia (lung infection), and about 1 in 100 will have convulsions. In rare cases, it can cause death.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, babies should receive immunization against pertussis at 2 months, 4 months, and 6 months of age. Young children should receive booster shots between 15-18 months, and again at ages 4-5 years.

Please get the word out to anyone with young kids - this is critical!