There have been 88 confirmed cases of Bordetella pertussis in the county through Aug. 8, compared to 25 cases during the same time period last year, making this year a statistical epidemic, said a health department official.
The last major outbreak in Monterey County was in 2010, when 133 total cases for the year were reported. It’s important to treat the disease early with antibiotics, said Debra Johnson, the director of Salinas (Calif.) Valley Memorial Hospital’s Infection Prevention & Control unit, as pertussis runs its course in three stages.
There have been no reported deaths in the county thus far, according to the report.
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