Health officials: Whooping cough on the rise in Dane Co. - WKOW 27: Madison, WI Breaking News, Weather and Sports

MADISON (WKOW) – Local health officials say the number of whooping cough, or pertussis, cases are on the rise and more cases are expected.

According to Public Health Madison and Dane County, since March 1, more than 90 cases of whooping cough have been reported in Dane County. So far this year, there have been more than 160 cases. Health officials say the number of cases are much higher than the two-to-three cases per month they're used to dealing with in the past several years.

Health officials say most of the reported cases have affected school-age children. The hardest hit have been 10 to 14-year-olds; the second hardest hit are 15 to 19-year-olds; and the third are 5 to 9-year-olds.

Clusters of whooping cough cases have been reported in Sun Prairie, Monona and Cottage Grove, according to public health officials. They say getting immunized is the best way to help prevent the disease. Infants do not receive the full benefits of the vaccine until they've had three pertussis vaccine doses and are at least 6 to 12 months old. Public Health Madison and Dane County says pregnant women, fathers, grandparents, siblings, and babysitters should all have a recent DTaP or Tdap vaccine.

For more information on whooping cough, including vaccination requirements for children, teens and adults, click here.