Whooping Cough Exposure

3/6/2009

The outbreak of pertussis, or whooping cough continues in Kittitas County. Kittitas Valley Community Hospital confirmed today two staff members have contracted the disease.

As a precautionary measure, the hospital’s infection control team identified patients that may have been exposed and are in the process of contacting them.

Whooping cough is a highly contagious, airborne disease spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The pertussis bacteria cause an infection in the respiratory tract producing symptoms that resemble a common cold; sore throat, nasal congestion, low-grade fever and cough.

If you experience any of these symptoms or if you think that you have been exposed to someone with whooping cough, KVCH recommends you contact your physician.

2010 Press Releases
2009 Press Releases
2008 Press Releases