By RODNEY D. BOAM
Citizen editor
With last week’s death of a nine-week infant girl from Arimo of Pertussis, and a recent outbreak of the same illness reported in Cache County, Utah, local health officials are urging parents to make sure the families’ vaccinations are current.
Maggie Mann, director of the Southeastern Idaho Public Health Department, said Pertussis flares up every year.
“It can turn into a serious situation. The symptoms can especially be severe for those who are older and those who are very young,” she told the Idaho State Journal last week.
“What we are recommending is adults who are care givers of infants, child care providers and family members, parents, even aunts and uncles who will be around children, to be vaccinated against the disease.
She said Southeast Idaho is not having a severe outbreak, but any time a child dies from Pertussis it is a serious matter. Washington State health officials has reported over a thousand cases of the illness this season.
This story is sponsored by Franklin County Medical Center.
For the full story subscribe to The Preston Citizen: in print or online.
