WATERTOWN -- Nine more cases of whooping cough have been detected in Jefferson County. This brings the total number of confirmed cases in the area to 19.

The Jefferson County Public Health Service reports whooping cough has re-emerged as one of the most pressing public health issues. Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a bacterial infection of the respiratory tract. It can be easily spread through airborne contact. Pertussis begins with cold-like symptoms and a mild cough that becomes more severe within 1-2 weeks. The coughs are followed by a high-pitched whoop and these attacks can last from several weeks to a few months.

Individuals can contract whooping cough at any age, but young children and those who are not fully vaccinated are at the highest risk. The Whooping Cough Vaccine is 80%-85% effective. Vaccinations are available for infants and adults up to age 64. Those who are already infected will need an early administration of antibiotics to help with recovery and to prevent the disease from spreading.

Although Jefferson County has a high immunization rate for children, the community is developing an education campaign on whooping cough. The campaign is an effort to instill county-wide preventative measures for dealing with an outbreak. Some tips on preventing the spread of the disease include:

- Learning the signs and symptoms of pertussis. 
- Staying at home if ill - both children and adults.
- Seeking medical attention with the signs and symptoms of pertussis so diagnostic testing and treatment as indicated are received.
- Covering coughs with a tissue and/or cough into your sleeve/elbow.
- Washing hands often.
- Avoiding close contact with others who are coughing or otherwise ill.
- Keeping infants under one year old, especially if younger than 6 months, away from people with a cough illness as this age group is most likely to have severe symptoms with pertussis.  Infants with any coughing illness should be seen promptly by a physician.
- Requesting pertussis-containing vaccinations be received according to initial childhood schedules of five doses before age six, school entry as well as booster recommendations for 11-12 year olds and adults in order to increase immunization levels. 

Fore more information on pertussis, call the Jefferson County Public Health Service at 786-3720 or contact your doctor.