Pepin County in Wisconsin has had 72 confirmed cases of pertussis, or whooping cough, since an outbreak started in March, according to a WEAU report.
Most of the whooping cough cases have affected students in the Durand (Wis.) School District, but infections have persisted even though school is not in session. A Pepin County Health Department intern told WEAU the continued transmission of whooping cough is tied to sporting events.
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With school due to start up again soon, the health department is working with the school district to keep students up to date on vaccinations for the highly contagious respiratory disease. The health department is also urging behavior like hand-washing, covering coughs and not sharing drinks, according to WEAU.
There has been an increase in the number of reported whooping cough cases since the 1980s, according to the CDC. The agency saw a 15 percent increase in cases from 2013 to 2014.
The illness is generally treated with antibiotics but can be deadly — worldwide, about 195,000 people die from whooping cough each year.
The best way to prevent an infection is to get vaccinated. Babies, children, preteens, teens and adults can all be vaccinated against pertussis.