HENDERSON COUNTY, N.C. (WSPA) – A whooping cough outbreak has been reported in Henderson County.
The Henderson County Department of Public Health said 27 cases of whooping cough, known as pertussis, have been reported in the county.
Most of the cases are among school-aged children, health officials said.
Parents, guardians, and close contacts are being notified about potential exposure by letter or phone call.
Whooping cough is an infection of the airways and lungs which spreads easily when someone coughs or sneezes. It causes a severe cough which can last weeks or months.
Infants under one year old and those with weakened immune systems are at highest risk for severe complications and death, according to the Henderson County Department of Public Health.
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The department encouraged families to make sure their vaccinations are up to date, as protection against whooping cough from the childhood vaccine DTaP decreases over time.
Older children and adults may need a pertussis booster shot called Tdap to protect themselves and infants near or around them.
Henderson County last reported a whooping cough outbreak in late 2017 and early 2018. The county reported a total of 95 cases during that outbreak.