Pertussis, commonly known as the whooping cough, is making the rounds in metro Atlanta. As of July 28, 95 cases have been reported; this time last year, that number was 51, according to a press release issued Aug. 1 by the Georgia Department of Health.
“Though we have not seen a substantial increase in the number of whooping cough cases statewide, the increase in whooping cough cases in highly-populated metroAtlanta is of concern,” said state epidemiologist Cherie Drenzek, D.V.M. in a recent statement to the Georgia Department of Health.
National trends are similar, and the U.S. seems to be headed for its highest number of cases in over 50 years. Nearly 18,000 cases have been reported so far this year nationally compared to half that this time last year.
Karen Shields, public information officer with the Gwinnett, Newton and Rockdale County District Office
Article source: http://loganville.patch.com/articles/whooping-cough-on-the-rise-in-gwinnett-metro-atlanta-e35f1986
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