Whooping Cough Cases on the Rise

Pertussis, a disease better known as whooping cough because of the severe coughing fits it causes, is making a resurgence in Kentucky, with recent outbreaks in central and northern parts of the state. The bacterial disease particularly affects infants and older children, who are required to receive the five-dose vaccine before entering sixth grade. But the outbreaks have state and local health officials urging "boosters" — immunizations for children and adults 11 and older.