Whooping Cough Cases On The Rise

Nov 17, 2014 at 01:45 am by bryan


A contagious infection that most people thought was a long-distant memory is on the rise in Tennessee. Whooping cough is nowhere near the epidemic proportions in California where nearly 9,000 cases have been reported so far this year. There's not been as many cases reported in Tennessee but numbers are up.

The Tennessee Department of Health reports 238 cases so far in 2014 compared to 179 cases for the same period through early November in 2013.

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The Tennessee Department of Health says that under a doctor's care, vaccination is the best form for preventing whooping cough.

It says newer vaccines developed after 2000 are safe, but not as long-lasting, so some people may need booster shots.

The department has also indicated that family members of whooping cough victims can prevent getting the infection by taking certain vaccinations.

Source:

Partner Station WMSR

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