Island County’s health officer today called on Little League officials to discontinue all tournament events until an outbreak of whooping cough is brought under control.
National Little League officials are reviewing the request, said Jim Gerstenflager, in the organization’s Western regional office in California.
Dr. Roger Case made the request in a fax to regional Little League officials this morning.
“I understand the importance of the tournament that is under way, but I am forced by sound medical judgment to strongly recommend that any group activities …be closed until this disease is corralled and poses no further threat to the public,” the statement says.
Twenty-two cases of whooping cough have been confirmed so far on Whidbey Island, and the number of cases is expected to grow, Case said.
Late Tuesday afternoon, Case recommended that Little League and girl’s softball All-Star tournament games be called off to help prevent spread of the disease.
Such a decision would have to be made by Little League officials, said Andy McRea, an All-Star team coach and president of the South Whidbey Little League.
Case’s letter was faxed to the organization’s Western Regional headquarters in San Bernardino, Calif., this morning.
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