Lisandra Guzman News Today

Oregon health officials are concerned about a sharp increase in cases of pertussis — known as whooping cough — across nine counties and are encouraging people to get vaccinated against

Oregon health officials are concerned about a sharp increase in cases of pertussis — known as whooping cough — across nine counties and are encouraging people to get vaccinated against

Oregon health authorities worry that an infectious disease will sweep through schools at a time when almost 1 in 10 kindergarteners is missing at least one required vaccination.

Last school year, Oregon had the second highest non-medical vaccination exemption rate in the country after Idaho at 12%.

Lane County Public Health officials have declared an outbreak of pertussis, known commonly as whooping cough, with a total number of 40 cases so far community-wide.

Air quality in Lane County continues to be affected by wildfire smoke blowing in from the east, so residents should stay indoors when and where they can.

As a national outbreak of the virus continues, there will be more cases, but the risk of exposure is much lower than the coronavirus, staff said.

Public health officials reported Friday two cases of monkeypox, a potentially serious viral illness that can cause flu-like symptoms and sores.