Pertussis Rising in Clark County
Wednesday, January 2nd, 2013 -- 8:48 AM
-Pertussis seems to be one the rise in Clark County.A letter, sent by the Clark County Health Department, informed parents of students enrolled in the Thorp School District, that there have been confirmed cases of pertussis, or whooping cough, within the school.
There have been 12 confirmed cases of pertussis in the northern part of the county since November, ranging in age from 3 to 15 years.
There have been a total of 15 positive cases within Clark County as of August.
Pertussis is a contagious bacterial disease that affects the respiratory tract. The bacteria are spread by contact with the respiratory droplets from an infected person through coughing. Exposure usually occurs after repeated indoor face-to face contact.
?As a safety precaution, we ask that if a child is showing signs of a possible case of pertussis, to keep them home isolated and seek medical attention from a physician in order to obtain testing and treatment as soon as possible,? said a representative of the Clark County Health Department.
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