North Idaho seeing whooping cough cases

Seven new lab-confirmed cases of whooping cough in Spokane County bring the total number of recent cases to 14, according to the Spokane Regional Health District.

In addition, there are three probable cases in North Idaho, including two in Kootenai County and one in Bonner County. The probable cases have not yet been confirmed by lab tests.

There appear to be no connections between the Spokane and North Idaho cases.

Eleven of the Spokane County cases are among children, who are particularly vulnerable to dangerous complications. Six of the children had not received vaccinations against whooping cough.

The other five children were up to date on their recommended shots, but may not yet have received the full series of shots.

The shots are recommended at ages 2, 4 and 6 months, with booster shots at ages 1 and 5.

Vaccinated adults and adolescents can get whooping cough when their immunity wears off. Adolescents and adults usually get mild symptoms.

Whooping cough, also called pertussis, is a bacterial infection spread through coughing and sneezing.

Its symptoms include long bouts of coughing, sometimes followed by the characteristic “whoop” sound of gasping for breath.

Nationally, 13 children died from whooping cough in 2003, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.