http://www.kthv.com/search/results.asp?storyid=2398

THE STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT HAS EXTENDED ITS WHOOPING COUGH INVESTIGATION TO TEN ARKANSAS COUNTIES

Whooping cough cases are being investigated in Clark, Faulkner, Garland, Grant, Hot Spring, Howard, Nevada, Pope, Pulaski and Saline counties.

The largest numbers confirmed are in Pike County, where 96 cases are linked to Murfreesboro High School, and Pulaski County with about 19 cases.

There have been 135 cases reported statewide in the past year.

Doctor Sandra Snow of the Health Department says the disease is fairly contagious and that the department expects more cases to be reported.

Classes at the Murfreesboro school were closed Monday and Tuesday in an effort to keep the illness from spreading. Students returned to class Wednesday as the outbreak ebbed.

Snow says Doctors from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta arrived in Arkansas Friday and have gone to Murfreesboro to assist in the outbreak investigation.

(Copyright 2001 by The Associated Press.)

10/16/2001 3:04:32 PM

ALL INFORMATION, DATA, AND MATERIAL CONTAINED, PRESENTED, OR PROVIDED HERE IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS REFLECTING THE KNOWLEDGE OR OPINIONS OF THE PUBLISHER, AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED OR INTENDED AS PROVIDING MEDICAL OR LEGAL ADVICE.  THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO VACCINATE IS AN IMPORTANT AND COMPLEX ISSUE AND SHOULD BE MADE BY YOU, AND YOU ALONE, IN CONSULTATION WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.