Yuma County Issues Whooping Cough Alert; Families Advised on Symptoms, Vaccines

Yuma County Public Health Services District issued a pertussis alert on Jan. 29 after the department reported one confirmed case and seven probable cases as of Friday, Jan. 23. Health officials are urging families, childcare providers and schools to review immunization records and seek care for persistent coughs to limit spread.

Cynthia Espinoza, an epidemiologist for the Yuma County Public Health Services District, framed the risk in familiar seasonal terms. “Pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory infection that can be transmitted through respiratory droplets that is produced by coughing or sneezing, and as many other respiratory infections, pertussis follows, like, a seasonal pattern. So we usually see more cases around this time of the year,” she said, underscoring why local clinics and parents should be vigilant.

Symptoms can begin like a common cold and then intensify. “It can start with a regular cold, but after a week the cough can get very severe and can be followed by vomiting or the classic whoop sound,” health officials warned. The alert also stresses a particular risk for infants. “Although pertussis is known as whooping cough, some infants might not have a cough at all. Instead, they may struggle to breathe,” an advisory noted, emphasizing that newborns and very young children can present without the hallmark whoop yet still be severely ill.

Public health guidance centers on vaccination and prompt care. “The main thing is stay up to date on vaccinations, know your vaccination status, stay home if your sick,” Espinoza said. Health officials add that if a cough lasts more than a week, “the health district advises the community to contact your healthcare provider.” Officials cautioned that even small pockets of under-vaccination can allow pertussis to spread. “even small gaps of unvaccinated people can allow pertussis to spread. That's why we encourage everyone to share vaccination status and stay up to date on the vaccines, which is the best way to prevent it,” Espinoza said.

For families needing immunizations, the Yuma County Public Health Services District offers clinics for children 18 and under with a $10 cash only visit fee. “For children 18 and under, there's a $10 (cash only) visit fee, but no child will be turned away for inability to pay,” the district said. Additional local supports include First Things First's Yuma Resource Guide and a resource guide from the Arizona Children's Action Alliance for low income and uninsured families. Nearby La Paz County reported an average immunization coverage of 90.1 percent among children in childcare, kindergarten and 6th grade during the 2024-2025 school year.

Community reactions mixed personal practices with official advice. “When the winter season comes around, it's normal when things like that happen, especially for me, so I do a lot of aromatherapy, and a lot of essential oils,” said local resident James Rodriguez, reflecting household-level coping rather than public-health prevention.

This alert is a reminder that pertussis can return quickly where immunity gaps exist. Parents and caregivers should confirm vaccination status, keep symptomatic children home, and contact a health provider for coughs lasting more than a week. Reporting on the alert was supported by a grant from the Arizona Local News Foundation.