Whooping cough cases on rise in Spokane County

Whooping cough is on the rise in Spokane County and health officials are urging people to get vaccinated. Twenty-eight cases of whooping cough reported in the county, compared to five reported cases during the same period in 2014. Ten of these cases were reported in June. Whooping cough, also called pertussis, is a serious illness that begins with a cough and a runny nose. Children may have rapid coughing spells that end with a whooping sound. Symptoms are typically less severe in adults, though the cough can last for weeks. Pertussis is cyclical and outbreaks occur every three to five years. Vaccination remains the best too for preventing the disease, especially for babies, who often catch the disease from adults, said Dr. Joel McCullough, the Spokane Regional Health District’s health officer. Whooping cough vaccines are recommended for all children and adults. Babies get their first dose at two months of age and need a series of shots to get the best protection. A single Tdap vaccination is recommended for adults aged 19 and above. Visit srhd.org/whoopingcough for more information.