Wyoming Sees Increase in Whooping Cough

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — The Wyoming Health Department is reporting a sharp increase in whooping cough cases.

State health officer Wendy Braund says the number of cases is a cause for concern.

Braund is encouraging awareness and vaccination to help protect vulnerable residents from the disease.
The agency says it has recorded 63 whooping cough cases so far this year, compared to a total of 59 in 2012, 13 in 2011 and 14 in 2010.

Braund says many of the cases were reported over the last two months.

Infants less than a year old are the most in danger from whooping cough and usually must be hospitalized.