#news More whooping cough cases reported in Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Health officials issued a warning on Friday against the spread of whooping cough, or pertussis, in the greater Los Angeles area.

Four people have died of whooping cough in the county this year, all of them infants, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) said.

More cases of whooping cough were reported in October in the area than any other month, the department said.

"We have received 101 pertussis reports for the first week of November alone, and 429 reports for the month of October," said Jonathan E. Fielding, director of the LACDPH.

More than 1,600 cases of whooping cough have been reported this year, although only 480 turned out to be classified either "probable" or "confirmed" as many reports turn out to be either false, unverifiable or outside the county, the department said.

During all of 2009, there were only 156 probable or confirmed cases of the disease, the department said.

Pertussis typically starts with a cough and runny nose for up to two weeks, followed by weeks to months of rapid coughing fits that sometimes end with a whooping sound.

The illness, which might include a mild fever, is treatable with antibiotics.

"This disease can be prevented with a vaccine and I urge everyone who is eligible to take advantage of this protection for themselves and their loved ones," said Fielding.

"If you have not already done so, make it a priority this weekend to get vaccinated."

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