In December, Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton reported that two staff members were identified with clinically presumptive cases of pertussis (also known as whooping cough).  After extensive screening and testing no additional cases were found according to the NHCP Director of Public Health Navy Capt. (Dr.) Todd Wagner.

     “This is great news, but we shouldn’t let down our guard,” Wagner said.  “Pertussis activity throughout San Diego County continues to be very high so I highly encourage everyone to make sure their pertussis vaccination is up to date.”

     Early symptoms can last for 1 to 2 weeks and usually include:  Runny nose, low-grade fever (generally minimal throughout the course of the disease), mild cough, and apnea - a pause in breathing (in infants).

As the disease progresses, the traditional symptoms of pertussis appear and include:  Paroxysms (fits) of many, rapid coughs followed by a high-pitched "whoop", vomiting, and exhaustion.

     Beneficiaries enrolled to NHCP can be vaccinated either by appointment or on a walk-in basis at their primary care clinic during normal clinic hours.    To make an appointment, call (760) 725-HELP (4357), option one.

     Active duty military members serving in the Camp Pendleton area should go to their respective Regimental Aid Station, Battalion Aid Station or medical homeport team to be vaccinated.

     All TRICARE beneficiaries not enrolled to NHCP should contact their network Primary Care Provider or a local public health center for information about how to get vaccinations.

     For further information on pertussis, please visit the links provided below.

     California Department of Public Health at www.cdph.ca.gov/HealthInfo/discond/Pages/Pertussis.aspx, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at http://www.cdc.gov/Features/Pertussis/ or the San Diego Department of Public Health immunizations site at www.sdiz.org/Community/IZ-Clinics.html or (866) 358-2966.