Crook County confirms two pertussis cases

Crook County health officials have confirmed two cases of pertussis or whooping cough in the area.

Karen Yeargain, communicable disease coordinator for the Crook County Health Department, said Wednesday the two cases occurred in the last three weeks and involve children under the age of 2.

Whooping cough starts out like a cold, then the disease develops into a harsh cough that can last up to 12 weeks. Young children are especially vulnerable.

Yeargain and health officials are working to stop the disease in its tracks before it spreads and causes an outbreak.

“They call this ‘the three-month cough,’ and for adults and adolescents it’s miserable. People cough so hard they vomit sometimes,” Yeargain said. “But for children, they can’t even clear the mucus that this infection produces. We’re hoping not to let it continue going throughout the community.”

Yeargain suggested children get the T-Dap vaccine and encouraged everyone to cover your mouth when you cough, wash your hands and stay home if you’re sick.

“Little ones can die from this, and that’s why we take it really seriously,” Yeargain said. “I’d like to stop this before we start seeing more cases, and I’m hoping we can do that.”

In Deschutes County, health officials say so far this year, they’ve had 61 confirmed cases of pertussis.

For more Crook County information and details on vaccines or the disease, visit http://co.crook.or.us/Departments/HealthDepartment/HealthHome/tabid/2169/Default.aspx and http://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/