Whooping cough cases way up in 2011
Feb 8, 2012, 5:08 PM | Updated: 6:51 pm
"Whooping cough, when it gets into a community, can start to spread very fast," said Donn Moyer with the Washington State Department of Health. "That's why it is importation for people to either vaccinate for their children or get a booster if they're older children or adults."
The number of whooping cough cases in Washington state has hit the highest point in six years, according to the department of health.
There were 608 reported cases in 2010, followed by 912 in 2011.
“The number of reported cases is just the tip of the iceberg,” State Health Officer and Pediatrician Dr. Maxine Hayes said Wednesday.” Many young people and adults who get pertussis may not know they have it and don’t seek medical attention.”
Whooping cough, which is also called pertussis, is a highly contagious respiratory illness transmitted by coughing and sneezing.
“Whooping cough, when it gets into a community, can start to spread very fast,” said Donn Moyer with the Washington State Department of Health. “That’s why it is importation for people to either vaccinate for their children or get a booster if they’re older children or adults.”
Symptoms of whooping cough include a long, severe cough that can last for several days or weeks.
