Wyoming is seeing an increase in cases of whooping cough, or pertussis, according to numbers released by the state Department of Health.
Pertussis begins with cold-like symptoms but then progresses to a violent, uncontrollable cough within a few weeks. So far this year 43 cases have been reported, which is higher than this time in any of the last four years.
Kim Deti with the Department of Health says the agency is particularly concerned with several cases in and around Gillette.
“We are seeing some cases recently in Campbell County, at least one of them involved a pregnant woman. We had a couple others that involved women who were involved or worked in pregnancy-related settings. That kind of gets us thinking that we need to remind people about this concern,” Deti added.
Whooping cough is most dangerous for infants, the elderly and people with compromised immune systems. Deti says it's especially important for anyone who might come into contact with infants or very young children to get vaccinated against the illness.
