Report: Whooping cough cases increasing across Kentucky, and not just in children

FRANKFORT, Ky. ( FOX 56 ) — A report from state health officials on Wednesday alerted the public that whooping cough cases are increasing throughout the Commonwealth.

The Commonwealth of Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) said whooping cough, also known as pertussis, has spread to “a rate of infection not seen in Kentucky since 2016–2017, when 463 and 449 cases were reported, respectively.”

Health experts also warned that whooping cough can be severe for all ages. Kentucky has seen eight cases of pertussis result in hospitalization for four infants, one school-aged child, and three adults, per the report.

“Anyone can get pertussis, though infants are at greatest risk for life-threatening illness,” said Dr. Steven Stack, commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health (KDPH). “Fortunately, vaccinations are available to help prevent serious disease.”

Health officials said that whooping cough can spread quickly through the air and transfer easily to infants from older siblings, parents, or adult caregivers who didn’t know they were infected.

LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS

• Police searching for pair who set fire to pride flag outside Kenton County home
• Lexington police search for man accused of kicking woman’s door in
• How Clark County schools support students throughout the summer months

The report described symptoms of whooping cough as a runny nose and mild coughing that progresses into “rapid, violent coughing fits that can cause the ‘whooping’ sound, vomiting, and labored breathing.”

CHFS said even adults should get the whooping cough vaccine every 10 years, and children should get them “when they are two months, four months, six months, and 12–15 months old.”

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News.