Whooping cough epidemic makes itself known Adams County, health officials encourage action

The pertinence and severity of pertussis is growing in Adams County, especially with the confirmed case of a four-month-old girl.

Pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, has been declared an epidemic in the state of Washington since April 3.

The Adams County Health Department is stressing the importance of residents receiving the appropriate vaccinations in order to stop the spread of the disease. There have been eight confirmed cases of whooping cough this year within Adams County, and it is believed many other cases have not been positively confirmed.

Whooping cough is an illness caused...