Health district warns of whooping cough

MOSES LAKE - The Grant County Health District investigated a report of a 3-month-old infant with whooping cough and discovered that 29 people may have been exposed to the disease.

The infant was taken to an emergency room over Easter weekend and tested positive for pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, according to a spokesperson.

The health district found an additional case of pertussis infection in the infant's household.

The health district reported that 29 individuals had close contact with the infected patients and are now taking antibiotics.

"This is a good example of why pertussis testing in children with a cough of more than two weeks duration is so important," said Grant County Health Officer Dr. Alexander Brzezny. "These patients unknowingly exposed many friends and family members to the disease."

Grant County Health District investigated 32 cases of pertussis and over 270 case contacts since the outbreak in August 2010.

Between 2005-2009, Grant County averaged less than three cases of pertussis per year.

The Grant County Health District recommends everyone without a current pertussis vaccine update their vaccinations promptly.

- Staff report