Cases of pertussis (also known as whooping cough) are on the rise in South Carolina this year, with high prevalence in the Upstate region.

As of July 30, there have been 183 cases of pertussis in the state, according to the South Carolina Department of Public Health ― up from 147 cases during the same period the previous year.

Spartanburg County currently leads the state with the highest number of cases, with 45 reported. Greenville County followed with 24 cases, and in Anderson County, 13 cases were reported.

What is pertussis?

Pertussis is an infectious disease caused by bacteria found throughout the globe. Prior to vaccine availability, it was one of the most common causes of childhood deaths, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . Death rates have seen a significa

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