JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - There has been an increase in whooping cough cases in Mississippi, and the State Department of Health has just reported its first death in over 12 years.

The Mississippi State Department of Health has confirmed an infant less than 2 months old in the state has died from pertussis, also known as whooping cough.

Mississippi State Health Officer Dr. Daniel Edney says the department is in a state of concern due to rising cases.

There have been 115 reported pertussis cases in the state this year.

That is an increase from the 49 reported cases from last year.

Edney says this is because many adults are not staying up to date on their vaccine boosters.

“And that’s part of our problem, adults who aren’t maintaining their immunity levels don’t realize they have pertussi

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