This story was updated July 31
Haywood County health officials have confirmed a 12th case of whooping cough. The county first announced five cases on July 9th. Among the confirmed cases, three are adults, and the rest are children and teens under the age of 19.
“We want our residents to understand that pertussis is here, and we need to be cautious,” Dr. Sarah Banks, Haywood County Public Health Director, said in a press release.
Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a highly contagious respiratory infection that starts with mild symptoms but can worsen over time. The illness is particularly threatening to infants and those with weakened immune systems.
It gets its name from the "whooping" sound people make when gasping for air after coughing.
Vaccines are the most effective way to prevent whooping cough.
Last spring, there was a widespread outbreak of whooping cough with almost 120 cases in Henderson County, along with cases in Buncombe, Macon Graham, and Transylvania counties in early summer.
For more information on pertussis, including symptoms and vaccination recommendations, visit cdc.gov/pertussis.
