THE 1ST WHOOPING COUGH DEATH IN SEVERAL YEARS HAS BEEN REPORTED IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. LOCAL HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE NOW RECOMMENDING THAT PEOPLE WHO CARE FOR CHILDREN GET THEIR BOOSTER SHOTS, SO THEY CAN DO THEIR BEST TO PROTECT THEIR YOUNG CHILDREN (AND INFANTS) FROM WHOOPING COUGH (ALSO KNOWN AS PERTUSSIS), AS THE BABY WHO DIED WAS LESS THAN 6 MONTHS-OLD.
WHOOPING COUGH IS KNOWN TO BE CYCLICAL, WITH PEAKS IN INCIDENT OCCURRING EVERY 3-5 YEARS.
