It's a disease most of us forgot about, but it's back and potentially badder than ever — and in California at least 6 children have died of it. Pertussis isn't just for kids either!

So, why all the sudden whooping cough?

Whoops!

Whooping cough is on the rise in industrialised countries, despite long-standing vaccination programmes. Now researchers from the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia, have an explanation for why: at least two strains of the bacteria that cause the infection have evolved to evade today's vaccines.

Now it seems an upgrade to a new type of vaccine may be to blame. Up until 1997, a "whole-cell" vaccine was used before it was phased out over two years because of concerns about side effects. Since 1999, a new "acellular" vaccine has been used. Why whooping cough's making a comeback, New Scientist, February 2010

It didn't take long since that February article about Australia for the disease to spread to the United States, and predictably it's now an epidemic in the state that has the highest immigration with probably the least compliance on requirements that immigrants get immunizations — California!

In the midst of what could be the largest whooping cough outbreak in more than 50 years – and the death of six infants under 3 months of age – California health officials are recommending booster shots for nearly everyone in the state, especially health care workers, parents and anyone who may come in contact with babies. California whooping cough outbreak largest in decades, USA Today, July 27, 2010

Be sure to watch this video report that the largest group infected with the disease are Hispanics. Not much of a surprise considering the large numbers that come into the U.S. without immunizations or any kind of health check.

The most interesting thing about the following article, besides the fact that it states the obvious cause of the problem, is the date — June 24th!

So, in over a month this epidemic has received almost no attention from the MainStream Media.

Whoops again!

Suggesting that, annually, about 73,200 new undocumented aliens cross the California border, it only makes sense that there is a sizable group of people who are very likely not able to receive vaccinations or provide their children with the needed immunity.

While the parents either live a shadowy existence or are spirited away to farms, factories and hospitality industry venues participating in the new arrivals' virtual enslavement, the children join the school system. Whooping cough transmission is possible. Deadly Whooping Cough Epidemic Claims Lives of California Infants, Associated Content, June 24, 2010

NPR's All Things Considered did do a story about the epidemic. It's a disturbing report that is made even more so because of its obfuscation of the source of the problem. Is there any doubt who they are talking about in "rural areas"?

KELLEY WEISS: Doctors like Marsha McKay in rural areas are one of the groups most likely to drop childhood immunizations. That's according to Gary Freed, a physician at the University of Michigan Health System. In a 2008 article he published in the journal Pediatrics, he found that about 25 percent of family doctors were seriously considering no longer giving vaccines. Freed says many were losing money on immunizations. In Calif. Doctors Struggle To Provide Whooping Cough Vaccine, July 26, 2010.

Personally I'm not too happy that the epidemic has been festering in San Diego — just 350 miles from where I live near Phoenix, Arizona. But it's been over a month since that article came out, which seems like plenty enough time for the disease to migrate here. I watch multiple channels of local news daily and yet until now I wasn't aware of the danger. Last week, I saw my local doctor for a prescription refill but he never mentioned the epidemic or that I should get a vaccination.

Call it a coincidence if you will but I think the MSM has deliberately downplayed this epidemic. The elites figure that sacrificing a few babies is mere collateral damage necessary to reduce bad publicity that Obama doesn't need in his battle to put a stop to our immigration bill: SB 1070.

At least people in Pennsylvania (read sob story) are being warned which is a good thing, since supposedly that's where the illegals in Arizona are migrating to.

Whooping cough is not just a childhood disease, and the number of active cases here in the US are climbing — in California alone, the number of cases has quadrupled over that of last year - enough for it to be labeled an ”epidemic”. Cases have also increased in Arizona, Colorado, Montana, Oregon and South Carolina, and it is believe the numbers will further increase when children return to school. (W)holy, (W)holy, (W)holy, Northcentral PA, July 26, 2010

There is some news coverage in Arizona but pay close attention because the source of the epidemic isn't usually mentioned. This ABC15 report has a video as well as text:

According to the Centers for Disease control cases of whooping cough or Pertussis have almost doubled when compared to the same time last year. Increases in whooping cough in AZ have experts pushing for parent vaccinations, ABC TV15, 7/12/2010