Whooping cough outbreak in Zuni

ZUNI - Two cases of whooping cough, also known as pertussis, have been confirmed recently at Pueblo of Zuni, according to an announcement made by the New Mexico Department of Health.

The Department announced one additional suspected case of pertussis and a possible outbreak in Zuni.

"Infants, particularly those less than 6 months of age, who contract pertussis are at increased risk of complications, hospitalization, and death," announced the department.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns the disease usually starts with cold-like symptoms and maybe a mild cough or fever. In babies, the cough can be minimal or not even there. Babies may have a symptom known as apnea, a pause in the child's breathing pattern.

"Pertussis is most dangerous for babies. About half of babies younger than 1 year who get the disease need care in the hospital," according to the CDC. "The infection is generally milder in teens and adults, especially those who have gotten the pertussis vaccine."