Kentucky is experiencing the largest surge of pertussis, also known as whooping cough, since 2012.

The case numbers continue to rise following three infant deaths from pertussis in 2025, according to the Kentucky Department for Public Health.

Our Christine spoke to a pediatric infectious diseases physician to find out more how to protect those most at risk.

Doctor Chris Bryant is here from Norton Children's.

So Doctor Bryant, first of all, tell us what is whooping cough?

Whooping cough, also called pertussis, is a very contagious bacterial infection that causes uncontrollable coughing fit.

So early symptoms start out, like a cold.

But after several days of illness, people begin to cough uncontrollably.

Anybody of any age can get pertussis.

Adults can cough so hard they break ribs.

In young babies.

This is the group in which, pertussis or whooping cough is most dangerous.

Young infants with pertussis can stop breathing.

Oh, wow.

So there is a vaccine for pertussis.

Whooping cough.

Is it effective?

When is it given?

How long does it last?

Yes.

The good news is pertussis is a vaccine preventable disease.

And it's recommended that all babies get immunized, to protect them against pertussis.

The first shots are given at two, four, and six months of age.

Babies get another dose after their first birthday and then another dose of a combination vaccine protecting against pertussis when they go off to kindergarten.

Now, people who get that series of shots, children who get that series of shots, have a strong degree of protection against pertussis, particularly severe protests.

We do get boosters against pertussis, throughout our lifetime, because immunity does wane over time.

I should point out that, there are some additional things we do to protect young infants.

For example, a purchase a shot is recommended for pregnant women, because they'll make antibodies.

Those will cross the placenta and protect the baby.

Pertussis vaccine is also recommended for people who are going to be around young infants, like grandparents or other caregivers, so they don't bring pertussis into the house.

Okay.

So for, let's say, the kindergartner going in to get, to get the shot, is it called Tdap, DTaP?

At kindergarten, it's still called, DTaP.

Okay.

Kids, get another dose of similar vaccine called Tdap.

When they're 11.

And that's the shot that we give to older teenagers and adults too.

Okay.

So that's what we'll look out for.

Okay.

Thank you so much, Doctor Bryant, for your time today and for walking us through this whooping cough and what all we need to watch out for.

Thank you.

The increase in whooping cough has health officials in one Kentucky county warning about broader community exposure and infection.

The Floyd County Health Department reports 21 cases.

The county has issued a number of public notifications warning of the outbreak.