Whooping Cough Outbreak In Yap, Chuuk
(Pacific Daily News)
Guam public health officials are warning local residents of an outbreak of highly contagious whooping cough in Yap and Chuuk, the Pacific Daily News reports.
Since there are direct flights to Guam from both island groups, public health officials warned Guam parents to protect infants from exposure to people who might have cold-like symptoms. Infants are particularly at risk of developing serious problems from pertussis.
The Dept. of Public Health and Social Services also encouraged people traveling to Yap and Chuuk to ensure that they have been vaccinated for whooping cough, which may be combined with diphtheria and tetanus vaccines.
Guam health care providers were also told to report suspected cases of pertussis to public health officials.
http://www.guampdn.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080410/NEWS01/804100313/1002
