Monday, January 30, 2012

At least eight people are now being treated in a northeastern Kansas county for symptoms of whooping cough, and health officials are urging residents to consider getting fresh vaccinations.

Five people in Riley County had symptoms of the illness as of Friday. That number was up to eight by the time county health director Susie Kufahl briefed the county commission Monday.

Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a bacterial disease easily transmitted through the air. It's marked by weeks of a prolonged cough with a distinctive "whooping" sound, and is especially serious for infants.

Kufahl told commissioners that residents should consider being vaccinated against pertussis, even if they've been vaccinated in the past. That's because a new vaccine was developed in 2005.