Josephine County Public Health has confirmed four positive cases of Pertussis, commonly known as Whopping Cough, in the city of Grants Pass. The cases include two children in each household. Both households are unrelated to each other. Ages include a three month old, two eight year olds, and a fourteen year old.

These represent the first pertussis cases in Josephine County in 2013. In 2012, there were 3 documented cases of Pertussis. In the State of Oregon there were 910 cases.

Children who have not been vaccinated against Pertussis are at higher risk of contracting the disease. Highest risk groups of people include children less than one year of age and women in their third trimester of pregnancy. Josephine County provides vaccination against Pertussis at the Public Health Department at 715 NW Dimmick St., Grants Pass, from Monday through Thursday, 9am to 3 pm.