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Polk County takes precautions against whooping cough as epidemic continues in Washington state [Statewide]

By Deb Kallen, Communications Specialist

While about 1,280 cases of whooping cough have been reported in Washington this year to date, Oregon remains virtually unscathed with a reported 169 cases as of Monday, May 14. Nonetheless, Oregon public health officials statewide are urging people to protect themselves against the disease. The symptoms of whooping cough, which is a bacterial infection of the respiratory tract, are somewhat different in infants, older children and adults.

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