NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Betsy Robertson
Community Relations Manager
(206) 448-5555
May 7, 2012
MEDIA ADVISORY
WHAT
KING 5 Healthlink Special: Whooping Cough Epidemic: Protecting Our Families
WHEN & WHERE
Wednesday, May 9 ▪ 7:30PM ▪ Channel 5
WHY
According to the state Department of Health, there are 10 times as many whooping cough (pertussis) cases in the first five months of this year than the same period in 2011. As a result, officials have declared this outbreak an epidemic and have called in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for assistance.
Hosted by KING 5 anchor Jean Enersen, Whooping Cough Epidemic: Protecting Our Families will look into the epidemic and provide information on steps to take to prevent contamination.
Whooping cough symptoms and treatments vary by age. Tune in to this KING 5 Healthlink Special to learn specifics for protecting everyone in your family.
WHO
Governor Christine Gregoire and Mary Selecky, Washington Secretary of Health, will explain how the outbreak has reached epidemic proportions and what the state is doing to contain it.
HOW
Have specific questions about whooping cough? Submit them online at epidemic and a public health expert will answer them in a live webchat during the 7:30PM broadcast on May 9.
KING5.com will feature information and links to additional resources, including instructions on how and where Washington residents can get the vaccine.
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