KITTITAS COUNTY, Wash.- After the Chelan-Douglas Health District confirmed four cases of pertussis, better known as whooping cough, the Kittitas County Public Health Department has told medical providers to stay on high alert.
The outbreak is said to have started at an East Wenatchee school and is causing the serious respiratory illness. Cold-like symptoms can develop into a bad cough including a “whoop” sound after the cough.
CDHD said the spread of whooping cough is most common through people that live together or spend time together indoors. Wearing masks can help to prevent the spread through droplets.
Anyone who tests positive for whooping cough is required to notify a health district within 24 hours.
KCPHD recommends the pertussis vaccination to protect babies from the dangerous affects.
Editor’s Note: This article has been corrected to reflect that the confirmed cases of whooping cough were in Chelan County, not Kittitas County, as NonStop Local initially reported on air.
