OTTAWA – The Franklin County Health Department says whooping cough has spread into the county. The disease, also called pertussis, can cause serious illness, difficulty breathing, and can last weeks if not treated. The health department’s Mary Ann Platt said whooping cough can be spread relatively easily and it can be a serious and even a deadly threat to infants. Anyone over the age of 2 months who has not been vaccinated should do so, she said. Infants can’t be vaccinated so any caregiver of young children should be vaccinated to protect the children, she said. Anyone who has whooping cough or a family member with the disease should get a special antibiotic treatment and stay at home until the treatment is completed, she said. Anyone who has a continuous cough that does not get better should see a doctor.
Friday, May 18, 10 p.m.
