As per Panhandle Health District authorities, whooping cough cases are on the rise. In the present year, as many as 57 whooping cough cases have been noticed in five northern regions.

Recently, two Idaho infants were admitted in the hospital with the deadly disease. They are being treated in the intensive care unit.

Cynthia Taggart, who is the Public Information Officer for the health district, said that the number of whopping cough cases have increased eight times as compared to the previous year.

Whooping cough, which is also called pertussis, is caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. The disease is mainly found in children, especially who are below six months. It is a disease of respiratory system.

The disease is named so because the patients suffering from this disease produces a ‘whooping’ sound when they cough.

Medical experts say that this fatal disease is passed from mothers or caregivers to children. So vaccination against the disease is a must for everyone.

Randi Lustig, who is the Epidemiology Program Manager for the Panhandle Health District, says that the pertussis vaccination is must not only for infants, but also for teenagers and adults. She also said the youngsters and adults should go for revaccination, even though they received the shot in their childhood.