SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KTIV)–Siouxland District Health Officials say there are two more confirmed cases of whooping cough in Woodbury County.
That brings the total to three.
Last week, administrators in the Sergeant Bluff-Luton school district sent an e-mail to parents letting them know a student had come down with the illness.
They want parents to keep an eye on their kids to see if any symptoms develop over the next several weeks.
Tyler Brock, with Siouxland District Health, says he won't be surprised if a handful more cases of pertussis show up in the next few weeks but he doesn't expect it to go further than that.
They're working to make doctors aware of the symptoms.
Those can show up within 7 to 10 days of exposure.
It often starts off like a cold but within a few weeks, the cough worsens, and is often followed by a “whooping” sound.
Whooping cough is spread through coughing and sneezing, and is highly contagious in close contact,
In infants, it can actually cause death.
If you your child develops symptoms, see your doctor.
Siouxland District Health Officials also urge everyone to get their Pertussis booster shot.
They say the vaccine can wear off so it's important to get a booster both as a teen and as an adult.
More details about symptoms and treatment can be found at the website of the Center for Disease Control.
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