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PROVO, Utah (AP) -- Health officials are alarmed over the increasing cases of whooping cough popping up around Utah County.
There's been a spike in the number of whooping cough cases in past few years. Health officials say they're NOT sure why, but say people can protect themselves.
From 2000 to 2004, the county saw an average of eleven cases a year. Last year the county shattered national averages after more than 100 people were hit with the illness.
But that's nothing compared to this year's numbers. So far, there are already 75 cases and the high season isn't until the fall.
The highly contagious disease begins with mild cold symptoms and progresses to violent coughing and vomiting.
Although the disease is most dangerous to children under one, health officials are urging people of all ages to get the vaccine.
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Information from: The Salt Lake Tribune
(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
