Kings County's health officials warned Tuesday that an unusual outbreak of whooping cough has hit the community and urged measures such as vaccination to prevent the illness from spreading from adults to young children, especially infants.

In the last six months, six children have been hospitalized. One child was 2 years old and the rest were under 6 months of age, said Dr. Michael Mac Lean, county health officer.

"These six cases present strong evidence that there is widespread transmission in our community," Mac Lean said. "While these six children have done well, whooping cough in infants is a serious disease that occasionally causes death."

Nearly 84 percent of whooping cough deaths in the country occur in infants younger than 3 months old, he said.

Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a bacterial infection that can lead to bronchitis or pneumonia. Typically, the cough follows a cold-like illness, but the cough can be so violent that it is sometimes associated with vomiting, loss of bladder control and rib fractures, Mac Lean said.

Infants often are infected by adults in their family or daycare setting. But the disease in adults is underdiagnosed, often posing a public health challenge, Mac Lean said.

The vaccination is effective, but its protection wanes over time after six to eight years.

Mac Lean urged people younger than 64 years old to receive one dose of vaccine for pertussis and also urged families with infants or expected newborns to consider getting a vaccination. Vaccines are not recommended for pregnant women, but the new mother can get vaccinated at her first visit after delivery, Mac Lean said.

Infants cannot be vaccinated until they are 2. They should also receive second and third doses at 4 months and 6 months and fifth and sixth doses at 4 to 6 years and 11 to 12 years old, Mac Lean said.

The reporter can be reached at 583-2429.

(Oct. 7, 2009)