Wisconsin dealing with outbreaks of whooping cough - WKOW 27: Madison, WI Breaking News, Weather and Sports

Wisconsin dealing with outbreaks of whooping cough

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MILWAUKEE (WKOW) -- State health officials say they're dealing with a rising number of whooping cough cases this year.

Nearly 1,900 confirmed and probable cases have been reported statewide so far this year. A spokeswomen for the Wisconsin Department of Health Services says that compares with 158 for the same period a year ago.

The agency says the state is facing "widespread outbreaks" of pertussis, which is also known as whooping cough.

Pertussis is a highly contagious bacterial disease that is dangerous for infants. It causes uncontrollable, violent coughing.

The state health department says one infant with pertussis died in Wisconsin in February.

Pertussis outbreaks are cyclical. Vaccination is the most effective prevention.

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