Gila County Issues Advisory on Pertussis

On May 19, 2005 the Arizona Department of Health Services declared a statewide pertussis outbreak. At this time, there are no known active cases of pertussis in Gila County. Residents should be aware that traveling to metropolitan areas of the state may increase their risk of exposure to pertussis. The Gila County Department of Health is working with the Arizona Department of Health Services to prevent any outbreaks within the jurisdiction. The following outbreak prevention and control strategies are being implemented by Gila County. ¢ An accelerated immunization schedule is being implemented for infants. Parents are asked to bring their infant for the DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis) vaccine at 6 weeks of age, with the next two doses four weeks apart (at 10 weeks and 14 weeks). ¢ Tdap vaccine, a new vaccine that will provide protection against pertussis in adolescents and adults, is now available at the local health department. The initial shipment of vaccine is restricted to adolescents 10-18 years of age who meet the following criteria: * Lives with an infants less than 1 year of age or is a caregiver to an infant less than 1 year of age. * At least 5 years have passed since last DTaP or DT. ¢ The new Tdap vaccine should become available to adolescents who do not have infant contact sometime in August. * Routine administration of Td to adolescents 10-18 years of age who do not have infant contact is being deferred. * Proof of the school Td booster or Tdap booster will not be required until October 31, 2005. This deferral will allow for the administration of Tdap vaccine to adolescents once it becomes more readily available. For additional information please call (928) 425-3189, or if calling from the Payson area, 1800-304-4452 extension 8811.