Little pertussis reported recently on Vashon
By SUSAN RIEMER
Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber Reporter
May 16, 2012 · 4:37 PM
Vashon reported no cases of pertussis in April and has reported only one case so far this month, according to officials at Public Health — Seattle King County.
The respiratory illness, also known as whooping cough, has reached epidemic levels in the state, with 1,284 cases reported in Washington through May 5, compared to 128 cases reported during the same time period last year.
Earlier in the outbreak, Vashon had been reporting a disproportionately high number of cases of the illness compared to other areas in the county. While Vashon’s numbers have decreased, public health officials remain cautious about the situation here, as reported cases typically represent only a small percentage of actual cases.
Earlier this month, Gov. Chris Gregoire announced the state is putting $90,000 into a public awareness campaign to help combat the spread of the disease. State officials have also asked the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to send a team of investigators to the state to assist with the epidemic.
Contact Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber Reporter Susan Riemer at sriemer@vashonbeachcomber.com or 206-463-9195.
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