Whooping Cough Hits Canyon County

Since the beginning of the year, Canyon County has reported 21 cases of whooping cough, which is three times more than in the same period last year. Pertussis, is highly contagious and can cause serious illness in babys, children and adults. Symptoms are similar to a cold, including sneezing, runny nose and a cough. According to Southwest District Health, the cough typically becomes more severe after one to two weeks.
The coughs can be followed by a “whooping” noise, vomiting or difficulty in catching a breath.

Fully-immunized children are at a lower risk for contracting whooping than non immunized kids.