FA R M L A B O R I N F O R M AT I O N B U L L E T I N
Voice of the Fields California
July 2014
FREE
Volume 24, Number 7
Staying Healthy: Avoiding Spreadable Illnesses
T
hose in the agricultural industry often work close together, which is why it is vital to know how to keep you and your family healthy and protected from some of the most contagious illnesses. Below is information on a few of the most common and prevalent illnesses affecting farm workers. Whooping Cough (Pertussis) Pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory infection that is caused by the bacterium B. pertussis. The infection is easily transmitted from person to person through coughing, sneezing, and/or sharing saliva. Whooping cough usually starts with a mild cough, runny nose and a fever. While the symptoms are much like those of a common cold, after a couple of weeks, whooping cough can cause severe coughing spells that can make breathing difficult and cause vomiting. These violent coughing fits can last weeks or even months. In recent years, the number of whooping cough cases has risen. The amount of whooping cough cases this year has already surpassed the amount of cases recorded in 2013. Latinos, especially those working in the agriculture industry, tend to be more affected by this illness than others. According to the state Depart-
ment of Public Health, Latino babies under six months old have a rate of infection of 94 per 100,000 babies – much higher than babies of other ethnicities. In 2010, all of the babies who died from whooping cough were Latino under the age of two months old. Whooping cough mainly affects infants, young adults, and the elderly. The infection poses a strong threat to infants and anyone over the age of sixty-five. Because early symptoms are similar to the common cold, whooping cough is not diagnosed until symptoms get worse. The best way to prevent whooping cough is to get vaccinated. All California public schools require a pertussis vaccination, and the California Department of Public Health recommends that everyone gets vaccinated against the illness, especially women of childbearing age, those that have close contact with infants, anyone over sixty-five years of age, as well as infants and children not already vaccinated for whooping cough. The pertussis vaccine only provides
5-10 years of protection. After the vaccine becomes ineffective it is recommended for adolescent and adults to receive an additional booster shot (Tdap). For reference, below is a list of persons who should get vaccinated. n Adults who did not receive a booster shot as a teenager, especially anyone who cares for babies under one year old. n Adult Pregnant Women, even if they have been previously vaccinated. n Children 2 months to 7 years old should receive one dose at each of the following ages • 2 months • 4 months • 6 months • 15-18 months • 4-6 years n Kids 7 to 10 years old that did not receive all 5 doses above. n Teens 11 – 18 years old
Mumps Mumps is a rare virus but it is extremely contagious under the right conditions. Mumps virus is spread from person to person through infected saliva or by being too close to an infected individual. A major reason there Continued on next page