ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times

DATE: Friday, January 24, 1997               TAG: 9701240089
SECTION: VIRGINIA                 PAGE: B-3  EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
DATELINE: RICHMOND

WHOOPING COUGH HITS PEAK IN STATE

Virginia reported 102 cases of whooping cough in 1996, the highest number of cases in 26 years, the Virginia Department of Health said Thursday.

Thirty-one cases were reported in 1995, and 37 cases in 1994.

``This is a dramatic increase in whooping cough cases,'' said Randolph Gordon, state health commissioner. ``Parents really need to make sure their child's immunizations are up to date.''

The number of whooping cough cases traditionally peaks every three to four years, the Health Department said. The last peak came in 1993 with 75 cases.

Whooping cough is an airborne disease that can be transmitted through sneezing and coughing. Initial symptoms are similar to those of the common cold, but can escalate into severe coughing, vomiting and exhaustion.

The disease can be serious in infants and young children.

- Associated Press

LENGTH: Short :   26 lines