An official with the Wyoming Department of Health is advising anyone who thinks they or their children have whooping cough to see their health care provider for testing.

Reginald McClinton, a Surveillance Epidemiologist with the Department, says that while the disease is endemic to Wyoming, most public health departments and school districts don't test for it. Symptoms of whooping cough include uncontrollable coughing, often with a "whooping" sound, shortness of breath and vomiting. In 2012 there were 59 cases reported statewide.

Whooping cough can occur during any season. There is a whooping cough vaccine which doesn't necessarily prevent the disease but does lessen it's severity. Because the disease is most dangerous to babies, and infants under two months can't be vaccinated, people in contact with babies that age should be vaccinated.

 

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