(Mason City) – The Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health has confirmed 78 suspected or lab confirmed cases of pertussis (whooping cough) in the county since May 16, 2012. Disease Prevention Specialists encourage individuals to follow the guidelines to ensure the health and safety of everyone.
“We continue to have pertussis circulating in our community,” says Karen Crimmings, Disease Prevention and Investigation Service Manager, Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health. “We recommend people seek medical attention if they are experiencing a persistent cough. It’s very important that individuals being tested for pertussis finish five days of antibiotics before going anywhere in public.”
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.
- Causes vomiting.
- End with a high-pitched ‘whoop’ sound when breathing in after a series of coughs (this is most common among young children).
Individuals in need of the 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.
For more information about immunizations, please visit our website at www.cghealth.com or call (641) 421-9324.
