Whooping cough appears in Skagit
July 22, 2008 - 07:43 PM
by Aaron Burkhalter
by Aaron Burkhalter
Skagit County has discovered its first cases of whooping cough, or pertussis, officials reported today.
Three cases were confirmed Tuesday, though only one appears to be linked to an outbreak on Whidbey Island that cropped up in June, with 54 cases confirmed.
County Nurse Maryl Skjei said that case, involving a Mount Vernon child, has been contained as much as possible. The child was up to date on vaccinations, but caught the illness when in contact with another child on Whidbey Island.
Skagit County Public Health Director Peter Browning said the case could be managed as long as the family keeps the child home until the infectious period is over.
The other two cases appear unrelated to the Whidbey outbreak, but hospitalized one baby and a senior citizen from Burlington. The baby has been transferred to Children’s Hospital in Seattle.
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