Whooping Cough Discovered In Calaveras

San Andreas, CA — Calaveras Health Officials have issued a warning of two probable whooping cough cases in the northwest part of the county.

The first case was a student at Mokelumne Hill Elementary School. Parents have been notified to watch for signs of illness and a small number of higher risk students were recommended to take antibiotics.

Whooping cough is a bacterial infection of the lungs and throat. It is spread through direct contact with an infected person.

County Health Officer Dr. Dean Kelaita said symptoms usually start as a cold-like illness with runny nose, slight fever and mild cough with the cough becoming severe and possibly lasting several weeks.

There were five reported cases of whooping cough in 2005 and none in 2004.

For information contact the Public Health Department at 754-6460.

Written by Vanessa Turner.