The state of California declares a whooping cough epidemic

The state of California has declared an epidemic of whooping cough.

California’s public health department declared that there were 3,458 whooping cough cases reported since January.

According to CNN, doctors call whooping cough pertussis. According to CNN, it is “a contagious respiratory infection that is caused by a bacterium known as Bordetella pertussis.”

Symptoms include a cough, low-grade fever, and runny nose. With whooping cough, the person gasps for breath after coughing. If someone has whooping cough, they can develop symptoms of the condition seven to 10 days after exposure. Whooping cough can be circulated among populations when someone with whooping cough coughs and sneezes.

Cases of whooping cough saw an increase in the city of Long Beach. The amount of cases for that city went up dramatically since 2013.

According to the LA Times, Dr. Mitchell Kushner, health officer for the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services, “A recent rise in pertussis in the city of Long Beach serves as a reminder that all age groups need to be properly immunized against this highly contagious disease.”