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Mohave County reports pertussis surge concentrated in Arizona Strip; most cases unvaccinated
Summary
Public‑health staff reported a sharp increase in pertussis cases concentrated in the Arizona Strip region, rising from single‑digit counts last year to dozens this season; nearly 90% of identified cases were unvaccinated and several children were hospitalized.
Anna Scherzer, Mohave County epidemiologist, told the Board of Health that Mohave County’s pertussis counts have risen sharply compared with the prior year and the county’s five‑year median. “Unfortunately, this year we're up to 34. So we've jumped up a whole lot with the pertussis,” she said during the April–June report summary, later updating the count: “We are up to 44 in that same area, and almost 90 percent of those that have been identified are unvaccinated. 5 of them have been hospitalized.”
Schzer explained the extra cases are concentrated in the Arizona Strip region and that the department’s concern is the outbreak could persist, noting a 2012–13 outbreak that produced about 740 cases over two years. She said the department is monitoring the situation and prioritizing response in the affected area.
Board members asked whether other parts of the county had confirmed cases. Schzer said Bullhead City had a few cases but Kingman and Lake Havasu had not reported confirmed clusters as of her presentation. She also noted seasonal increases in influenza this year but said pertussis is driving the current attention.
The Board accepted the routine communicable disease report; no new ordinances or funding decisions were taken during the discussion.
Ending: Public‑health staff said they will continue monitoring and reporting pertussis activity to the board and to state partners.
