Recent Whooping Cough Outbreaks In PA

A case of pertussis, also known as whooping cough has been confirmed in the Crestwood School District this week.

Two weeks prior, two cases of whooping cough were confirmed in Altoona Pa.

For the last half of December, Salisbury Township School District closed due to an outbreak of whooping cough.

Whooping cough is a highly contagious bacterial disease that is preventable by vaccine.

An estimated 16 million people worldwide are infected per year. Most cases occur in the developing world, and people of all ages may be affected.

In 2013, it resulted in 61,000 deaths – down from 138,000 deaths in 1990

In the US, less than 200,000 cases occurr annually.

Whooping cough is particularly dangerous for infants.

Besides a cough that sounds like "whoop," symptoms include a runny nose, nasal congestion, and sneezing.

Treatment includes antibiotics.