News - Local
Whooping Cough confirmed in Pueblo
Posted: Aug 5, 2010 8:35 AM by Bea Karnes, News First 5
Updated: Aug 5, 2010 8:37 AM
Two Whooping Cough cases have been confirmed in Pueblo, prompting the health department to issue a warning to parents to make sure their children are vaccinated. The medical name for Whooping Cough is Pertussis. Your children should be up-to-date on their TDaP vaccine and booster shots.
If you have an infant too young to be vaccinated for Whooping Cough, all adults in the household should be vaccinated.
The two cases in Pueblo are not related.
According to Sarah Bruestle, Pueblo City-County Health Department, "Research shows that half of the babies infected with pertussis are exposed by their parents, while 90% of unvaccinated children living with someone who has the disease can become infected. Vaccinations are available through doctors or by calling the Health Department clinic at 719-583-4380."
The US Centers for Disease Control reports that through July 2010, several states have reported an increase in cases and localized outbreaks, including a state-wide epidemic in California.
Whooping Cough is treated with antibiotics.
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