FRANKFORT, Ky. – Health officials with the Kentucky Department for Public Health have confirmed a third infant death tied to pertussis, or whooping cough.

On Monday, officials announced the death caused by the highly contagious respiratory infection.

According to a release by the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, the illness has been increasing across the United States “in part due to declining vaccination rates.”

This is the third pertussis-related infant death reported in Kentucky in the past 12 months, the release states.

The Department for Public Health has warned Kentuckians about the rising threat of pertussis, noting the largest spike in cases reported in the Commonwealth since 2012.

“We are deeply saddened to learn of another infant death in Kentucky due to pert

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