From the Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health:
We have had over 50 cases of Pertussis in the county.
Pertussis is highly contagious and can be serious, even deadly for infants. Adolescents and adults who have not received a pertussis-containing vaccination since childhood are no longer immune to the illness; leaving them at risk to spread the disease to young children if they become ill with pertussis. The Health Department is encouraging individuals who have a persistent cough to contact their medical provider to be checked for Pertussis. The cough may have the following symptoms:
Cause coughing ‘fits,’ making it difficult to breathe.
Be more severe at night interfering with sleep.
Cause vomiting.
End with a high-pitched ‘whoop’ sound when breathing in after a series of coughs (this is most common among young children).
Pertussis can be prevented with a vaccine. Individuals in need of the pertussis (Tdap) vaccine should contact their medical provider or their local health department. The Cerro Gordo County Public Health Department’s Immunization Clinic offers the Tdap vaccine. The Immunization Clinic is open Monday – Friday from 10:00 AM – noon and 12:30 – 4:00 PM.
