FRANKFORT, Ky. —

Two infants in the state of Kentucky have died in the last six months from pertussis, an illness more commonly known as whooping cough.

The Kentucky Department for Public Health made the announcement Friday, saying the two deaths were the first whooping cough deaths in the state since 2018. Advertisement

Neither the infants who died nor their mothers were immunized against whooping cough during pregnancy or infancy, the department said.

“Anyone can get whooping cough, but infants are at greatest risk for life-threatening illness,” said KDPH Commissioner Dr. Steven Stack. “Fortunately, when vaccinations are administered to pregnant women, it provides protection to both the mother and the baby.”

Last July, Kentucky health officials said whooping cough cases were on the

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