Whooping Cough Cases On the Rise

Health officials in a number of Michigan counties are reporting a rise in pertussis cases, also known as whooping cough.

In Genesee County, there have been 31 cases of pertussis this year, with many of the victims children. The Central Michigan Health District in Isabella County reports an increase of six times more than usual cases around the state this year.

Whooping cough is a bacteria which is spread by direct contact or through the air by a person coughing or sneezing. The illness can persist for months. It initially appears as a common cold, but severe coughing spells can set in after about a week or two, lasting up to a minute or more. Vaccines are available as routing immunization when a child is young, but its effectiveness can lessen over time, though booster shots are available. Health officials urge parents to get their kids vaccinated against this preventable disease. Anyone who has come down with pertussis should see their health care provider immediately.

For more information, visit cdc.gov/pertussis.