Whooping cough outbreak prompts YMCA to close camp on Key Peninsula

Nearly 200 campers have been sent home early after whooping cough prompted the YMCA of Greater Seattle to close the overnight camp on the Key Peninsula.

Two campers at Camp Colman became sick Monday and were sent home, according to KOMO-TV. So far no other kids have shown symptoms.

Edie Jeffers with the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department says it recommended closures to be cautious.

The YMCA is being proactive and sending children home to make sure they don’t get sick, said Camp Colman’s executive director Meredith Cambre. The kids were picked up by parents Wednesday.

Whooping cough, or pertussis, is highly contagious and spread through coughing and sneezing.

Young children, especially infants who’ve not had all their vaccinations, can be particularly susceptible to the disease. It’s easily transferred when someone coughs, sneezes or even talks.

This story was originally published August 4, 2016 at 12:43 PM with the headline "Whooping cough outbreak prompts YMCA to close camp on Key Peninsula."