VISALIA, Calif. (KFSN) -- Cases of whooping cough are on the rise across Tulare County, according to local public health officials.

"We're seeing a lot of cases in individuals under the age of 1 - infants - and that number has been going up this year," said Dr. Thomas Overton, deputy public health officer with Tulare County Public Health. "We want to make sure that pregnant women, as well as their family members, are vaccinated."

Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a highly contagious bacterial disease that spreads through coughing. It can cause severe illness and may be deadly.

"It definitely can be, especially for children under 6 and the elderly," said Dr. Theodor Yasko, chief resident at Adventist Health Tulare.

Yasko emphasized the importance of community-wide vaccination

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