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"Vermont health officials said there is a whooping cough epidemic across the state.More than 500 cases of pertussis have been reported so far this year, officials said, 10 times the amount reported in 2011.Members of the department of health and local hospitals made the announcement Thursday afternoon.They said the cough is cyclical, with large amounts of cases reported every 5 to 7 years.Whooping cough is highly infectious, they said, and can lead to severe illness or even death.Pertussis is especially dangerous to infants.Symptoms start off similar to the common cold. They include upper respiratory infection, sneezing, runny nose, fever and cough. The cough worsens with pertussis over several weeks.Officials are encouraging anyone over 19 years old to get a Tdap vaccine, which protects against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis. Those with up-to-date vaccinations can still get pertussis, officials said, but the symptoms are usually milder.\u201CThis is a life threatening illness,\u201D said Dr. Lewis First of Vermont Children\u2019s Hospital. \u201CWe are blessed that no one has passed away for several decades in this state but the numbers are increasing, and I think the good news is that we can do something about this.Health officials in Clinton County also report an increase in cases.In 2011, the county had five cases of pertussis. Though November 2012, they have had nearly 30.The Vermont Department of Health will hold free vaccination clinics Wednesday, Dec. 19 at its 12 district offices around the state.The best ways to combat the spread of whooping cause is frequent hand washing. If you have a cough, cough into your elbow to prevent the spread of germs.If you have questions about the vaccine, contact your doctor."^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.mynbc5.com/article/whooping-cough-epidemic-declared-in-vt-1/3306503>