A whooping cough outbreak has hit Arizona. Doctors say we haven't had an outbreak this bad in more than 50 years.
We haven't seen this many cases of whooping cough since 1959. Doctors are asking everyone to get a vaccine, especially adults.
Even though you got the vaccine as a kid it wears off, so you need a booster.
"He was beautiful and perfect and an absolute joy to have in our home," says Natalie Norton. "He was just learning to smile and starting to interact with us."
At 7-weeks old, Norton's son Gavin got whooping cough or pertussis. He was too young to get the vaccine that would have protected him.
"One day there was a cough and it seemed suspicious so I took him into the doctor. Within ten days he was gone. It was a very rapid decline, it was a fierce, fierce disease."
Norton says Gavin's decline was quick and terrible. She watched her 7-week-old son die.
"It's very tragic to see a little die of pertussis these days," says Dr. Cara Christ, Arizona Department of Health.
State health officials say we are having the worst whooping cough outbreak in more than 50 years.
"We are at 600 cases statewide. To give you some perspective last year for the entire year we had 860 cases."
Dr. Christ says adults need to get the vaccine every 10 years, not only for themselves, but to protect infants who are too young to be immunized.
Whooping cough is highly contagious. It starts off with symptoms similar to a cold and turns into coughing fits that can last for more than 2-months.
General doctors don't always carry vaccines, so it's best to get it at an immunization clinic.
Not only does this particular vaccine protect against whooping cough, it also contains a tetanus vaccine. Most vaccines are free with insurance.
Thursday, May 23 2013 3:18 PM EDT2013-05-23 19:18:28 GMT
Authorities say two New York City men and a New Jersey man kidnapped another man off a Queens street in broad daylight and held him for over a month, demanding $3 million from his family.
Authorities say two New York City men and a New Jersey man kidnapped another man off a Queens street in broad daylight and held him for over a month, demanding $3 million from his family.
Thursday, May 23 2013 1:43 PM EDT2013-05-23 17:43:15 GMT
Kerry Kennedy has joined farmworkers protesting outside Wendy's shareholder meeting in Manhattan.
Kerry Kennedy has joined farmworkers protesting outside Wendy's shareholder meeting in Manhattan. The protesters said Thursday they want Wendy's to sign an agreement to safeguard working conditions for Florida tomato pickers.
Thursday, May 23 2013 12:55 PM EDT2013-05-23 16:55:29 GMT
A $1,000 reward has been posted for information leading to the arrest and conviction of two men seen running to and away from a homicide scene Tuesday night in Camden.
A $1,000 reward has been posted for information leading to the arrest and conviction of two men seen running to and away from a homicide scene Tuesday night in Camden.
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:07 AM EDT2013-05-23 13:07:03 GMT
The NYPD arrested a suspect in the latest anti-gay attack in the city, said police.
The NYPD arrested a suspect in the latest anti-gay attack in the city, said police. The incident Monday night involved two men, who police say, had met at the Bowery Mission and went out drinking together in the East Village. Roman Gornell, 39, was arrested on Wednesday.
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:05 AM EDT2013-05-23 13:05:21 GMT
Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt made a trip to the birthplace of Frank Sinatra on Wednesday night to promote his new movie, "World War Z."
Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt made a trip to the birthplace of Frank Sinatra on Wednesday night to promote his new movie, "World War Z." Pitt stunned the crowd at the Clearview Cinemas when he walked in just before the start of the special screening.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:23 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:23:09 GMT
New Jersey officials have seized inventory and demanded records from 29 bars and restaurants, nearly half of them TGI Fridays, that they say sold low-quality liquor to patrons who thought they were buying premium brands.
New Jersey officials have seized inventory and demanded records from 29 bars and restaurants, nearly half of them TGI Fridays, that they say sold low-quality liquor to patrons who thought they were buying premium brands.
Thursday, May 23 2013 6:28 AM EDT2013-05-23 10:28:29 GMT
The parolee shot and killed along with a Hofstra University student by police won praise from a state parole panel in 2011 before his conditional release from prison.
The parolee shot and killed along with a Hofstra University student by police won praise from a state parole panel in 2011 before his conditional release from prison.
