HAYWOOD COUNTY, N.C. (WSPA) — Health officials in Haywood County on Monday confirmed an additional case of whooping cough, bringing the total number of active cases in the county to eight.
Among the confirmed cases, one is an adult and the rest are children and teens younger than 19. The county health and human services department is continuing to monitor the cases.
Pertussis, commonly referred to as whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory illness that spreads through coughing or sneezing. It causes intense coughing fits that can interfere with breathing, eating, and sleeping. The illness can be especially dangerous for babies, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems…