Whooping Cough Outbreak

There is an outbreak of whooping cough in Mohave County.  County officials say that a few pertussis cases have been confirmed in the Kingman, Bullhead and Lake Havasu area.

There have been 114 confirmed cases in the Colorado City area with 16 new cases in the last two weeks. 

Whooping cough is a highly contagious bacterial disease that if not treated properly can be deadly for children, especially newborns. 

The most effective way to prevent pertussis is through vaccination.  Protection from the childhood vaccine fades over time requiring revaccination in adulthood.