Whooping cough continues to rise in Grant County

EPHRATA - Reporting to the June meeting of the Grant County Board of Health, Health Officer Alexander Brzezny announced that the number of cases in Pertussis has increased dramatically in Grant County, especially in the Soap Lake area.

According to Brzezny, there have been 17 cases reported and more suspect cases, with the total probably higher than 20. Some patients are going to the doctors and getting treated, isolated and quarantined but not tested, Brzezny said.

Brzezny added that reports have also been received from Coulee-Hartline, Moses Lake and Quincy. With school being dismissed for the summer, he conjectured, chances are the number of cases will climb.

According too Brzezny, there has been one death in California from West Nile Virus. There have been no reports of WNV in Grant County in either humans or animals.

There is no longer a shortage of vaccine. Dr. Brzezny reported on the Hepatitis A outbreak in relation to the berries that were purchased from Costco.

Those who have eaten the Townsend Farms Organic Antioxidant Blend berry mix were advised to see their Physician.