Minn. officials report more whooping cough cases
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(AP) - The Minnesota Department of Health says it's seeing an increase in the number of whooping cough cases being reported in the state.
A recent outbreak in Dakota County includes 16 cases among upper elementary students, and another in Douglas County includes 24 cases so far in mostly high school students.
Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, occurs in cycles of 3-5 years. The last peak year in Minnesota was in 2005, when more than 1,500 cases were reported.
A person infected with pertussis develops a cough that comes in bursts or spells. The illness takes a few weeks to run its course, but health officials don't consider it serious or life-threatening. Officials do recommend people get vaccinated for the illness.
The Health Department says most of the outbreaks have been in Hastings, Alexandria, Albert Lea, Fergus Falls and the counties of Dakota, Douglas, Otter Tail and Wright.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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