Pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious disease that has recently been confirmed in a small number of cases in Montgomery County. Some of the reported cases involved school-aged children. As part of the public health investigation, several people have undergone testing, treatment, and/or post-exposure antibiotics as recommended by the CDC.
The Virginia Department of Health notes that pertussis can be particularly severe in children less than one year of age. However, the disease can affect anyone, regardless of age. The Southwest Virginia region is considered endemic for pertussis, with cases regularly diagnosed in the area. While vaccination can prevent pertussis, protection may decrease over time.
If you would like more information on pertussis and how to protect yourself and your loved ones from it, click here. Stay informed with the morning’s biggest stories delivered to your inbox daily at noon. Copyright 2024 by WSLS 10 – All rights reserved.