CLEVELAND — Health officials are warning of an outbreak of pertussis, also known as whooping cough, reported in southern Lorain County .

In a Friday statement, Lorain County Public Health said it is "monitoring and addressing" the outbreak after positive pertussis cases were reported.

Officials say pertussis spreads easily when an infected person coughs or sneezes around someone else. The bacterial infection can be serious — particularly in pregnant people, anyone with asthma or a weakened immune system, or babies younger than 1 year old.

"Pertussis spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, releasing tiny droplets that can be breathed in," the health agency said. "People with pertussis can be contagious for weeks, even with mild symptoms and even if they don'

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