MINNEAPOLIS – More than 2,000 cases of whooping cough, also known as whooping cough, have been reported in Minnesota this year, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.
The agency says it has not seen a rise in cases of this magnitude since 2012, but says this is not unexpected as the disease occurs every three to five years. That year, 4,144 cases of whooping cough were reported.
The agency says 2,324 cases have been reported statewide so far this year, but the majority have occurred in the seven-county metro area.
The average age of cases is 14 years old, ranging from one month to 92 years old. 77 cases involved babies younger than 1 year old.
Thirty-four people with whooping cough in Minnesota have been hospitalized and 57 have reported pneumonia.
Notification letters from the agency are being sent to schools, colleges and daycare centers where cases are occurring. The letters inform students and staff to get tested if symptoms develop
Health officials say people with whooping cough are contagious for 21 days, or until five days of antibiotic treatment are completed.
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