Pertussis Cases Keep Rising | Video

Michelle San Miguel | 8/8/2012

The number of pertussis cases in North Dakota continues to go up. The State Health Department says there have been 104 reported cases of what is commonly known as Whooping Cough. Almost 80 percent of those cases are in children.

State law allows parents to exempt their children from being vaccinated for philosophical, moral or religious reasons.

"Unfortunately the vaccine is not 100 percent effective so some people, even though they`re vaccinated, can become infected with pertussis. However if you get pertussis even though you`ve been vaccinated it`s usually much shorter illness and a much less severe illness," said Epidemiologist Abbi Pierce.

Pierce says those who are vaccinated have an 80 to 85 percent chance of not catching the disease. If you have a cough that`s not going away or isn`t normal, the state recommends that you contact a healthcare provider.

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