Brookfield parents warned about possible whooping cough outbreak
BROOKFIELD- Several kids on the Brookfield Central football team have come down with pertussis.
Waukesha County officials want you to be extra cautious, in a year that's seen more cases than usual.
Paul Martin is well aware of the threat whooping cough poses. His eight-year-old son Santana gets alerts at school every year. As of May 1, Waukesha had already seen 125 cases.
"You have to worry not just about your kids but every body's," said Martin.
That's why the county and its health department sent a letter to parents after several members of the Brookfield Central football team were diagnosed with the disease.
It's not uncommon for teens to get it, you just don't hear about it as often because younger kids are most at risk.
Health officials say empty school hallways are actually helping things out. Without kids in class, that means there are fewer people for them to pass it along to in close quarters.
But the best protection is vaccination.
"Every year we go for a doctor's appointment and we do make sure they have been vaccinated," said parent Parul Malik.
That vaccination is your best bet. But they can wear off, so you'll want to make sure your child's is up to date.
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