Скачать или смотреть Buncombe County Produces Whooping Cough PSA

ASHEVILLE, N.C. - Buncombe County has a major public health concern -- an outbreak of whooping cough.

Health officials say one or two cases a month would be normal this time of year, but there have been more than 26 so far since around Thanksgiving.

Dr. Jennifer Mullendore, the Buncombe County medical director, says these cases are likely not over.

"As people come back into their normal routine, maybe we're going to see it increase even more as people come back from their travel," Dr. Mullendore said. "We're not sure where this is going to go."

Health officials are trying to get in front of the outbreak and educating people that immunization is critical. The county has just produced a new PSA to warn of the the symptoms and dangers of pertussis.

Dr. Mullendore says the health department should be able to get a better handle on where the holiday outbreak stands within a week.

If you suspect a problem, see your doctor immediately, keep your kids at home, wash your hands and cover your cough.

And of course, health officials urged everyone to get a whooping cough vaccination.

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