MAYVILLE – Chautauqua County’s top health official that whooping cough – also known as pertussis – continues to be diagnosed in throughout the county. Public Health Director Christine Schuyler says that while her department has seen sporadic cases elsewhere, the disease seems mostly concentrated in the southern part of the county. Schuyler says utbreaks at middle schools and high schools along with other institutional settings – such as churches and workplaces – are common.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, cases of pertussis are higher in 2012 than they’ve been in almost 50 years.
Pertussis is easily spread by coughing, sneezing, not washing hands or just being in close contact. Babies are highly sensitive to pertussis and can have severe reactions to the disease, including death. It is be vital to the safety of your children that those around your infant including older siblings, alternate caregivers, and grandparents, receive the whooping cough vaccine.
To obtain vaccinations, contact your health care provider or call the Chautauqua County Health Department at 1-866-604-6789. For more information on Pertussis/Whooping Cough, visit www.cdc.gov.
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