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Calif. Whooping Cough Outbreak Concerns Pa. Health Officials
5 California Babies Die From Whooping Cough, Doctors Concerned
POSTED: 9:42 am EDT June 25, 2010 UPDATED: 10:23 am EDT June 25, 2010
PITTSBURGH -- Local medical officials are sounding the alarm after five babies die from whooping cough in California.
Whooping cough, also called pertussis, is transmitted through the air, person to person.
Although the recent outbreak is far from Pennsylvania, local doctors said that it will more than likely come to our region.
“In Pittsburgh, we haven't seen the rise, yet. But when it's happening in one part of the country, it's going to come to us. So rather than wait until we're in the middle of it, we really should be getting people out there and getting vaccinated now” said Dr. Marian Michaels, a local pediatric special disease specialist.
“It begins with cold symptoms and a cough, which becomes worse over one to two weeks,” said Michaels, describing the signs of whooping cough
The doctor also said that symptoms include a long series of coughs, followed by a whooping noise.
She urges parents to call their doctor if their child has a persistent cough.
“The best way to protect yourself and your children--Make sure everyone is up to date on their vaccines.” Michaels said, stressing a preventative method of action.
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