FRANKFORT, Ky. — A third Kentucky baby has died from pertussis according to the Kentucky Department for Public Health. Pertussis (whooping cough) is a very contagious respiratory infection.

KDPH said is the third pertussis-related infant death in Kentucky this year and said the state is seeing the largest spike in cases since 2012.

Dr. Steven Stack, secretary of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services said, “We continue to urge Kentuckians to get their whooping cough vaccine and to make sure they are up to date on all other recommended immunizations. Many illnesses can be prevented through vaccination, which helps protect not only the individual but also those around them.”

As of Nov. 19, KDPH said there have been 566 cases of whooping cough in Kentucky and they anticipate more cases

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