Five More Cases Of Pertussis Reported

The number of pertussis cases continued to climb slowly Wednesday, bringing the total to 187 in North Idaho and 74 in Spokane.

“It’s not over yet,” said Paul Stepak, Spokane Regional Health District epidemiologist.

The Spokane health district reported only three more cases of pertussis, or whooping cough, on Wednesday. North Idaho reported just two new cases.

In the past month, 3,175 people in North Idaho have been tested for the disease, and thousands of residents are taking preventive antibiotics.

The Panhandle Health District is continuing testing from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. today and Friday at 1111 Ironwood Drive.

The investigation of the outbreak will be ongoing, said nursing supervisor Marie Rau.

“Now that the forest fire is out, we still have a few little hot spots, we can start looking at what caused it,” she said.

North Idaho’s outbreak represents the bulk of the 355 pertussis cases reported so far in the state this year.

, DataTimes MEMO: IDAHO HEADLINE: Pertussis outbreak ‘not over yet,’ epidemiologist says