The Centers For Disease Control & Prevention said whooping cough is reaching epidemic proportions in some parts of the country and the numbers of cases are way above where they were last year. The CDC reports 18,000 more cases of pertussis in the country this year.

In North Carolina, Heath officials said so far this year, 179 cases of whooping cough have been reported in 23 counties.

Marlon Hunter, Director of the Forsyth County Health Department, said the Triad is also seeing an increase.

“Since January of this year, we have had six confirmed cases of pertussis in Forsyth County five of the cases were in children ages 10 to 15 and one case was in an adult who was 49 years old,” said Hunter.

Pertussis or whooping cough is a very contagious disease. The pertussis bacterium is spread from person to person usually by coughing or sneezing while in close contact with others. The disease usually starts with cold-like symptoms and a mild cough or fever. After 1 to 2 weeks, severe coughing can begin and usually lasts several weeks.

In August, a two month old child died from whooping cough in Forsyth County. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services says this is the first infant death in this state attributable to pertussis.

Hunter said in response to the tragic event, public health officials are encouraging all residents to get vaccinated against pertussis. 

“Who should get the pertussis vaccination? All children starting at 2 months of age, all close contacts of infants under 12 months of age. That includes parents, siblings, grandparents, children and child care providers, women who are pregnant or may become pregnant and anyone with chronic respiratory disease,” said Hunter.

Hunter said the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services announced in March that the Tdap vaccine, which protects against Pertussis, would be available at no-cost to anyone seven years and older until supplies run out.