HEALTH ALERT!
Pertussis aka whooping cough is a highly communicable, vaccine-preventable disease that can last for many weeks. It is transmitted through direct contact with respiratory secretions of infected persons. Classic pertussis symptoms include intense coughing fits, whoop, and coughing until vomiting. Make sure you and your child's immunizations are up to date now!
During January 1 to August 23, 2012, 411 pertussis cases have been reported to Maine CDC from all 16 Maine counties. This number far exceeds the 85 reported pertussis cases during the same period in 2011 and the total number of reported cases that year (205). In Maine, the majority of cases have been in those age 7 to 19 years.