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Lexington Health Department reports end to local whooping cough outbreak

pixabay.com

The Lexington-Fayette County Health Department says the city is no longer experiencing an outbreak of pertussis a year after one was declared.

No new cases of the illness, also known as whooping cough, have been reported since February. The city reported 80 cases since the outbreak began.

That came alongside a larger, statewide outbreak last year. The Cabinet for Health and Family Services said most of those cases occurred in school-aged children.

Early symptoms include a runny nose, a low fever, and sneezing or coughing. Coughing spells can get worse after a couple of weeks, and can include vomiting or exhaustion.

The health department says families should still get vaccinated against the illness. The pertussis vaccine is part of children’s regular immunization schedule, and boosters are recommended for those aged 11 and older.

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Shepherd joined WEKU in June 2023 as a staff reporter. He most recently worked for West Virginia Public Broadcasting as General Assignment Reporter. In that role, he collected interviews and captured photos in the northern region of West Virginia. Shepherd holds a master’s degree in Digital Marketing Communication and a bachelor’s in music from West Virginia University.
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