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Robert Frank, City Editor
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Published: Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Whidbey Island whooping cough outbreak threatens Little League
With 22 cases of whooping cough now confirmed on Whidbey Island, health officials are recommending - but not requiring - that Little League and girl’s softball championship games be called off to help prevent spread of the disease.
Andy McRea, a coach and president of the South Whidbey Little League, said he was informed about the spread of whooping cough on the island late Tuesday afternoon and was unsure how it might impact playoff games.
Only the host leagues have the authority to actually cancel the tournaments, he said.
“We can’t order them stopped,” agreed Dr. Roger Case, Island County’s health officer.
The outbreak began in June but has snowballed this month, Case said.
On Friday there were 18 confirmed cases, he said, and by Monday it had grown to 22.
About two-thirds of the patients are children, he said.
Most of the reported cases are on south Whidbey Island, Case said
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