Pertussis outbreak reported in schools

PULLMAN — Health officials are responding to a whooping cough outbreak in Whitman County. As of Wednesday, Dec. 6, 77 confirmed cases of pertussis had been reported.

The outbreak, which includes one case in the county’s K-12 school system, has prompted Whitman County Public Health to recommend post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) with antibiotics for household contacts of infected individuals.

Officials are urging parents and guardians to monitor children for disease symptoms and take precautions to limit the spread of the disease.

“Pertussis is highly contagious, and while anyone can contract it,...