LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) - Officials with the Kentucky Department for Public Health announced that two infants have died from pertussis in the past six months.

According to a release from the state, neither of the infants nor their parents had received the pertussis immunization during pregnancy or infancy.

These are the first pertussis-related deaths in Kentucky since 2018.

Officials want to remind everyone of maternal immunization during pregnancy and for all infants beginning promptly at 2 months of age.

Pertussis is a very contagious respiratory illness with an extremely distinctive cough.

Symptoms of whooping cough can vary for people based on their age and vaccination status but typically begin with a runny or congested nose and mild coughing.

After 1-2 weeks, the cough can progr

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