Grant County baby dies from pertussis
A Grant County infant infected with whooping cough has died.
County public health officials are investigating the case, along with a second case of a child with the bacterial infection, also called pertussis. That child is recovering at home. The infant died at Seattle Childrens’ Hospital, according to a news release.
The disease can be prevented with vaccines and booster shots. There are antibiotics to fight infection.
Pertussis has re-emerged as a public health concern. Cases earlier this year in North Idaho sparked worry about low vaccination rates.
About 1 in 20 infants with whooping cough develop pneumonia, health officials say.