Henderson County is experiencing a new outbreak of whooping cough, with health officials warning that it could be as severe as the outbreak in 2017/2018, which saw 95 cases. The most vulnerable to this contagious infection are the immunocompromised, pregnant women, and infants.
Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, typically starts with symptoms like a dry cough, fever, runny nose, and sometimes vomiting. To reduce the risk, health experts recommend getting a T-Dap shot at least every eight years.
The Henderson County Health Department announced the outbreak and noted that Transylvania Public Health had also reported 17 cases of pertussis among children. These cases involve children who attend local schools and childcare centers, but public health officials describe it as a broader community outbreak.
Health officials are collaborating with healthcare providers, schools, and childcare centers to track possible exposures to pertussis and are working to inform parents about the situation.
