Whopping cough cases have tripled in idaho and health officials are advising people to revaccinate themselves.
This year patients with whooping cough/Pertussis have tripled in Idaho (central) and health officials are advising people to get themselves revaccinated against infectious respiratory disease. 72 cases have been reported totally by central district health department so far in Ada (55 cases), Boise, Elmore (17) and Valley counties in southwest Idaho. Statistics shows that the numbers of cases are on the rise when compared to the 10 year average period of 23 cases/year.
The aim is to prevent the spread of disease and save infants. Though the disease is fatal there were no deaths as most of them were vaccinated during their childhood but the vaccine are only 80% effective and become weakened by the time the person reaches adolescence. But this vaccine has reduced the death tolls from 5000-10,000/year during the 1940 to 30/year.The early symptoms of the disease are runny nose, sneezing, a mild cough and a slight fever and later advances to severe cough, vomiting, difficulty in breathing and the characteristic high pitched “Whoop” (the sound that is heard during breathing in severe cases).All this will continue for a period of 10 weeks. People should not wait till they reach the final stages it will be advisable if they see a doctor immediately when they are in the earlier stages.
