Santa Cruz county officials say outbreaks at schools are responsible for dozens of new whooping cough cases. Since Sept 1, Santa Cruz County has received 66 reports of suspected and confirmed cases of the disease.
The county health services agency says it is working to communicate with schools, families, and doctors to control spread of the disease and investigate reported cases.
Whooping cough – also called pertussis — Spreads through the air and is very contagious. It begins much like the common cold, progressing in a week or two to violent coughing fits, vomiting after coughing, and gasping for air. Cracked ribs and hernias are possible complications of the coughing.
For more information, visit: https://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/
For Santa Cruz County public health questions call the Communicable Disease Unit at (831) 454-4114.
