Kentucky officials say whooping cough is spreading at an “elevated rate of infection”

State health officials say whooping cough is spreading through Kentucky at an “elevated rate of infection,” and are warning caution.

The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services has recorded 139 cases of whooping cough, also known as pertussis, as of the beginning of this year. Most cases have been found in school-aged children.

The state is seeing its highest rate of infection since 2016 and 2017, when 463 and 449 respective cases were reported.

Eight reported cases have resulted in hospitalization, including four infants, one school-aged child and three adults. No known deaths have been reported.

Early symptoms include a runny nose, a low fever, and sneezing or coughing. Coughing spells can get worse after a couple of weeks, and can include vomiting or exhaustion.

The state recommends those who have been exposed or are showing symptoms visit their nearest clinic, and to get vaccinated against the illness.

This comes after the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department declared an outbreak of its own three months ago. Since April, the city has confirmed 47 cases, including four new cases in the last week.

The department is reminding families to get vaccinated against the illness. The pertussis vaccine is part of children’s regular immunization schedule, and boosters are recommended for those aged 11 and older.

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