New whooping cough strain in US raises questions
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Buy SPH photosNEW YORK (AP) - Researchers have discovered the first United States cases of whooping cough caused by a germ that may be resistant to the vaccine.
Health officials are looking into whether cases like the dozen found in Philadelphia might be one reason America just had its worst year for whooping cough in six decades. The new bug was previously reported in Japan, France and Finland.
"It's quite intriguing. It's the first time we've seen this here," said Dr Tom Clark of the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
The new germ was first identified in France, where more extensive testing is routinely done for whooping cough.
