Senator Charles E. Schumer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 14, 2012

SCHUMER URGES CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO LIVINGSTON & MONROE COUNTIES TO FIGHT ULTRA-CONTAGIOUS WHOOPING COUGH OUTBREAK

Livingston County Health Department Reports 59 Confirmed Cases; Majority Confirmed in Past 8 Weeks

Schumer Asks CDC To Provide all Necessary Assistance to County Officials, and Help Determine Root Cause Of Outbreak

Schumer: Whooping Cough Outbreak Unusual And Very Contagious And We Need All Hands on Deck to Contain It

U.S. Senator Charles Schumer today urged the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to make the full range of its resources and unique expertise available to address the unusual and disturbing outbreak of pertussis, commonly known as the whooping cough, in Livingston and Monroe counties. Whooping cough is a highly contagious respiratory tract infection and is marked by a severe hacking cough followed by a high-pitched intake of breath that sounds like "whoop."

“Whooping cough is highly contagious, can infect people of all ages, and is especially dangerous for babies, that is why we need all hands on deck to contain this outbreak, including the federal CDC, ” said Schumer. "The world renown infectious disease experts at the CDC can help local authorities determine the root cause and fight back against this infection in the most effective way possible."

Within the last few weeks, Livingston and Monroe counties have seen an uncommonly large increase in the number of individuals infected with pertussis. As of this week, the local Livingston County Health Department has confirmed 59 cases of pertussis, reported since January 1, 2012 with the majority of the cases being reported within the past eight weeks. At this same time last year, Livingston County, which only has a population of 65,393, had only one confirmed case. The origin of the recent outbreak is puzzling, with local health care officials unable to determine any significant similarities between the people who are infected. The individuals infected with whooping cough range in age from seven weeks to 69 years old and are geographically spread out across the county.

In Monroe county, the County Health Department has confirmed new cases of pertussis this month and has notified parents in one school district that they anticipate additional cases of pertussis may occur over the next two months. Monroe has now confirmed 25 total cases this year, which while consistent with recent years, is a substantial increase over its historical levels and may be significant in light of its geographical proximity to the Livingston County outbreak.

Pertussis is very contagious can affect people of any age. It can cause serious illness and sometimes death particularly in infants who have yet to be vaccinated and therefore are unprotected and at very high risk from this illness. Pertussis is spread by direct contact with mucus or droplets from an infected person.

Senator Schumer is asking the CDC to be ready to help assess the root cause of the outbreak and provide public health officials and health providers additional information and best practices to help ensure public health and safety.

Below is the letter Senator Schumer sent to Dr. Thomas Frieden, Director of the CDC:

Dr. Thomas Frieden

Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

1600 Clifton Road

Atlanta, GA 30333

Dear Dr. Frieden:

I write today to respectfully urge the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to stand ready to provide any requested assistance to address the recent record-breaking outbreak of pertussis, commonly known as the whooping cough, in Livingston County, New York as well as in adjoining Monroe County, New York. As you know, pertussis is highly transmissible and can affect all ages.

As of this week, the local Livingston County Health Department has confirmed 59 cases of pertussis or whooping cough, reported since January 1^st, with the majority of the cases being reported within the past eight weeks. This is an unusually high number of cases since at this same time last year Livingston County, which only has a population of 65,393, had only one confirmed case. The origin of the recent outbreak is puzzling since local health care officials are unable to determine any significant similarities between those infected, who range from the age of seven weeks to 69 years old and are geographically spread out across the county. Moreover, in the adjoining county of Monroe, the County Health Department has confirmed new cases of pertussis this month and has notified parents in one school district that they anticipate additional cases of Pertussis may occur over the next two months. Monroe now has confirmed 25 total cases this year which while consistent with recent years, is a substantial increase over its historical levels.

Specifically, I ask for CDC’s assistance to be at the ready to help assess the root cause of the outbreak and provide public health officials and health providers additional information and best practices to help ensure public health and safety.

I applaud the Livingston and Monroe County Public Health Departments and the New York State Department of Health for their swift and efficient response to this outbreak. The dedicated staffs at both the County and State level have worked diligently to provide necessary public health services to our shared constituency. In recognition of the coordinated efforts that have already been put into place, it is imperative that if requested, sufficient federal assistance arrive without delay. It is of critical importance to the health of Livingston and Monroe County residents to act promptly to curb the spread of this disease.

Thank you for your consideration of this important and very timely request. Please let me know if I can be of assistance.

Sincerely,

Senator Charles E. Schumer

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